In 2015 Christiano Ronaldo was named the world’s most charitable sportsperson. He says that he doesn’t have tattoos so he can donate blood more often.
Some of his most charitable acts include auctioning off his 2013 Ballon d’Or trophy for $775,000 to donate the proceeds to the Make A Wish foundation, funding the construction of a pediatric hospital in Chile, and even paying for the cancer treatment of a 9-year-old fan.
Although his outward appearance might fit all the clichés of a self-obsessed football player the hairstyle, luxury cars, and designer clothes one detail is striking: Ronaldo’s body is not covered in tattoos. He stands out in a sport where body art is very popular with players. But why has the superstar chosen not to ink his body?
In an early interview with the Italian news website, Ronaldo said: “I don’t have tattoos so that I can donate blood more often.”
While people with tattoos can still donate blood, they can only do it after at least four months of receiving new ink, according to the Red Cross. This is because of the risk of infection. The same rule also applies to piercings or permanent makeup.
Ronaldo decided to first donate blood when the son of his Portuguese teammate, Carlos Martins, fell ill with leukaemia in 2011. The then three-year-old was diagnosed with a very rare type of blood disease.
Ronaldo is also registered as a bone marrow donor. “I did it many years ago and if I had to do it again, I would, because this is a very serious disease for many children and we need to help them…It’s a simple process and then you feel happy because you know you are helping another person,” he once said.
So while Ronaldo still fits the image of a typical football millionaire, his tattoo-less body appears to be proof he also uses his fame to make the world a little better.
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