Cristiano Ronaldo has shared a heartfelt video message with Andres Mieles, a young boy from Venezuela who survived a tragic earthquake last month. In this disaster, Andres lost both his family and one of his legs. The Portuguese star extended an invitation for the boy to watch one of his matches and meet him once he has healed.
This touching gesture came just days after Ronaldo helped Portugal secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Croatia. In the video, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner offered words of encouragement and promised an unforgettable meeting.
In his message, Ronaldo warmly said, “Hello, Andres. How are you? I wanted to send you a big hug. Since you’re one of my biggest fans, once you’re feeling better, I want to invite you to watch a match and enjoy it. I would love to meet you. A hug, my friend.”
Reports indicate that Ronaldo will also be sending Andres a signed Portugal national team jersey after hearing about his story.
Andres had been trapped under rubble during the devastating earthquake in June before rescuers managed to free him. Although he remained alive, he suffered unimaginable losses and underwent surgery to amputate one of his legs due to severe injuries.
While recovering in the hospital, Andres expressed a simple wish: to own Cristiano Ronaldo’s Panini World Cup sticker, as he lost his sticker album during the earthquake. His story quickly spread on social media, and many football fans tagged Ronaldo, hoping for a response.
Ronaldo’s personal reply was a heartwarming response to the overwhelming support from fans.
### RONALDO’S IMPACT ON THE FIELD
Ronaldo’s touching actions came right after an impressive performance on the pitch. The 41-year-old superstar scored his first goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage, helping Portugal come from behind to win against Croatia. After Croatia’s Ivan Perisic scored first, Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot, and Goncalo Ramos scored a late winner to secure their advancement.
This victory extended Ronaldo’s World Cup journey while also marking a possible end to Luka Modric’s remarkable international career. Now, Portugal is set to face Spain in an exciting match in the knockout rounds.
