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Cristiano Ronaldo has inked his name on the same page as other legendary superstars in the history of the beautiful game. The attacker's career has surpassed expectations, with tremendous achievements for club and country over the years.
Apart from being the epitome of success in the sport, the Portuguese is also a perfect example for the younger generation of players to model their careers on. Not only is Ronaldo a sporting success, but he also has an amazing personality both on and off the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to winning the hearts of people with amazing gestures. The attacker has captured the attention of football fans with many memorable deeds across the years. No wonder, he is the most followed athlete on the planet.
On that note, here's a look at five heartwarming gestures made by the five-time Ballon d'Or winner that have caught our eyes.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo gifted his shirt to a steward in a recent Champions League clash with Young Boys
During a warm-up session ahead of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Young Boys last month, a deflected shot from Cristiano Ronaldo hit a steward who needed brief medical attention to get back on her feet.
The Portuguese jumped over the advertisement board to check on the steward as she was being taken care of by the medical team. After the game, Ronaldo returned with a heartwarming gesture that dominated newspaper headlines.
Despite his team falling to a disappointing 2-1 defeat on the night, Ronaldo made sure he found the steward after the game and handed over his match shirt to her. She couldn't hide her excitement, donning it in front of the cameras and making a 'heart' gesture in the direction of the Manchester United talisman.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo gave an amazing birthday gift to his mother
Cristiano Ronaldo's love for his mother Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro is out of the world. The attacker has always praised the woman who gave her all to ensure he realised his dream of becoming a professional footballer. After reaching the top of the game, Ronaldo has never shied away to pay back his dues to her.
Many times the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has put a smile on his mother's face that caught the attention of fans. In December 2015, Ronaldo gifted his mom a classic white Porsche on her birthday. Her happiness was immeasurable as she posted pictures of the luxurious car on her Instagram page, which went viral.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo sponsored an eight-year-old boy's cancer treatment
An eight-year-old boy from Portugal, named Tomas, was in a critical health situation in 2019, battling against a neuroblastoma, the most common form of cancer in children. The first round of treatment had a good effect on the boy's health, but things worsened in October last year.
His parents couldn't afford the cost of continuing with the boy's treatment, for which they required help from others. The incident caught Cristiano Ronaldo's attention, and he quickly lent a helping hand.
Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Tomas was on his way to Barcelona for medical attention, fully sponsored by the Manchester United attac. The boy has now overcome the disease, and is living a happy life.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo makes regular blood donation
It is well known that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to have any tattoos on his body because he regularly donates blood at a clinic in his native Portugal. The legendary winger made headlines when he donated blood to help save the son of his Portugal teammate Carlos Martins.
He later revealed in an interview with Cadena Cope how that particular incident inspired him to become a regular blood donor.
He said:
"It was the time when Carlos (Martins) was with us with the national team. He told us about the problem with his son, and we, the players, showed great unity to help him and his son because we knew it was a very complicated situation."
"Donating bone marrow is something a lot of people think is a difficult thing to do, but it’s nothing more than drawing blood, and doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t cost anything. It’s a simple process, and then you feel happy because you know you are helping another person."
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo extended a dinner invitation to three McDonald's workers
Cristiano Ronaldo had a humble beginning in Portugal, sharing a room with three siblings as his family struggled to make ends meet. During an interview with ITV in 2019, the attacker recalled when he and his teammates would go to a McDonald's outlet near the stadium, hoping to get free food after training.
He reminisced:
"We were a little hungry. We had a McDonald’s next to the stadium; we knocked on the door, and asked: 'have you got any burgers?'”
"There was always Edna and two other girls. I never found them again. I asked people in Portugal; they closed the McDonalds, but if this interview can help find them, I would be so happy. I want to invite them to Turin or Lisbon to come have dinner with me because I want to give something back.”
Shortly after the interview, one of the women Ronaldo talked about identified herself as Paulo Leca. A second woman was also identified, named Edna Caldas.
