PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — For hours, soccer fans lined the sidewalk across from the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach on Saturday, hoping for a glimpse of one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Many of those gathered believe Portuguese soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at the luxury oceanfront resort as teams and supporters descend on South Florida during the FIFA World Cup.
Some fans arrived with jerseys, flags and phones in hand, waiting patiently in the Florida heat for a chance to see the superstar.
“We’re World Cup fans, and we’re waiting to see Cristiano Ronaldo!” one fan told CBS12.
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While neither the resort nor Ronaldo’s representatives have publicly confirmed he is staying there, the growing crowd drew the attention of law enforcement, which is present at the resort entrance, and passersby throughout the day.
Adding to the speculation, a source told CBS12 that the Four Seasons was not accepting reservations from non-guests Saturday, a move that could be related to heightened security measures surrounding a high-profile visitor.
The gathering comes as Portugal begins its World Cup stay in Palm Beach County, with the team training at Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens.
Fans lingered along the sidewalk, trading speculation and watching vehicles come and go from the property.
For many, simply being nearby was enough.
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Whether Ronaldo ultimately appears or not, the crowd gathering outside the Four Seasons is a reminder of the global reach of soccer’s biggest stars — and the lengths fans will go for the chance to see them in person.
