The official Instagram account of the FIFA World Cup joined millions in celebrating MS Dhoni’s 44th birthday on Monday, posting a tribute that bridged both cricket and football.
The post featured three global football icons, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Son Heung-min, each clad in their national team colours, proudly bearing the number 7 on their backs. Captioned simply, ‘Happy Thala day’, the post saluted the enduring mystique of the No.7 jersey and its profound connection to Dhoni.
Fifa World Cup Instagram Handle post for MS DHONI`s Birthday 🦁🔥 pic.twitter.com/2GqalR2KFW
— JEthalaL Gada™ 💛 (@JethiyaTweets) July 7, 2025
While the montage did not include Dhoni himself, the symbolism was unmistakable. Across sporting arenas, the number 7 is synonymous with excellence and big-match temperament, traits Dhoni embodied throughout his glittering career.
Fifa posted about THALA day! 🔥
When you`re big, you`re big. pic.twitter.com/4H2hWCV0Ou
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) July 7, 2025
Ronaldo made the number legendary at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Portugal, turning it into a brand by itself. Beckham wore the iconic No.7 shirt for England and United, leaving behind a similar legacy of leadership. Son Heung-min continues the tradition with South Korea, carrying the number with distinction on the global stage.
For Dhoni, the significance of the number 7 runs even deeper. Born on the seventh day of the seventh month in 1981, he adopted it early in his international career and wore it steadfastly across formats. The digit came to symbolise not just his birthday, but his ice-cool demeanour under pressure, his reputation as one of the game’s greatest finishers, and his leadership. Even after stepping away from international cricket, the number remains central to his persona, either echoed in fan chants, painted on murals, or emblazoned across countless CSK jerseys.
Monday was more than just Dhoni’s birthday, for millions of his admirers, it was Thala Day. In Tamil, Thala means leader, a title affectionately bestowed upon Dhoni by Chennai Super Kings fans. Over time, it has grown to be as celebrated as any of his on-field triumphs, capturing his bond with fans and his stature as one of cricket’s most respected figures.
