With the UEFA Euro 2024 coming up in just a few days, the world awaits to see Cristiano Ronaldo as he leads Portugal, the 2016 UEFA Euro winners, in their first game against the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Ronaldo who is himself one of the most famous athletes and has led Portugal to its first European title in 2016, received a special shoutout from FIFA that has captivated MS Dhoni fans in India. On the eve of Portugal’s Euro opener, the official FIFA World Cup Instagram handle shared a post featuring Ronaldo.
In a surprising twist, the FIFA World Cup Instagram account linked Ronaldo’s post to Dhoni, indirectly referencing the cricket legend. Captioning the post with “Thala for a reason,” the handle drew parallels between Ronaldo and Dhoni. The term “Thala,” which means “leader” in Tamil, is a nickname for Dhoni, the iconic figure of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. Dhoni, who wore the No.7 jersey for CSK in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, also sported the same number during his illustrious international career from 2004 to 2019.
This clever crossover has fueled the viral “Thala for a reason” trend, which is synonymous with Dhoni and, consequently, drew eyes towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2024. The former CSK skipper’s connection to the number 7 is well-documented, with his fans often flooding social media with tributes. Earlier, Google joined this trend, honoring Dhoni in a heartwarming post, and multiple brands have shared their takes on the trend during the IPL season. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni remains active in the IPL, where his presence continues to inspire.
Fans React to FIFA World Cup’s Post for Cristiano Ronaldo with “Thala” Touch
The FIFA post featuring Ronaldo with a “Thala” touch quickly went viral, delighting Dhoni’s army of loyal fans. Social media buzzed with excitement as fans celebrated the unexpected homage to their national hero.
In IPL 2024, Dhoni was the center of speculation regarding his career’s end. Ahead of the IPL 2024 opener between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Dhoni stepped down as the captain of CSK, handing over the reins to Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite Dhoni’s leadership, CSK couldn’t secure a playoff spot, finishing fifth in the 10-team tournament with seven wins from 14 matches.
As Dhoni’s fans enjoy the FIFA World Cup’s tribute, it became clear that the cricket legend’s influence extends far beyond the cricket field. The “Thala for a reason” trend continues to unite fans across sports, celebrating the legacy of MS “Thala” Dhoni.
Also read: Which players will CSK retain ahead of IPL 2025 Auction?
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