Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a personal message of encouragement to a young Venezuelan boy who lost his parents and a leg in a recent earthquake, offering words of support and inviting him to attend one of his matches.
The boy, identified as Andres Melis, was seriously injured in the earthquake that struck Venezuela and underwent an amputation after the disaster. His parents were killed in the quake, according to local reports.
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While recovering in the hospital, Andres posted a message on social media asking Ronaldo for one of his trading cards, saying it would help lift his spirits during his recovery.
After learning of the request, Ronaldo recorded a special video message for the boy.
"Hello, Andres! I hope you're doing well," Ronaldo said. "I know you're a big fan of mine, and I hope you recover very soon. I'd like you to come to one of my matches so we can enjoy it together. I'm looking forward to meeting you. Stay strong, my friend."
Ronaldo's gesture has been widely praised on social media, with fans describing it as a powerful example of compassion and sportsmanship beyond the football field.
More read, Cristiano Ronaldo finally ends World Cup knockout curse
Earlier, for almost 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved success on nearly every stage in football. He has dominated the UEFA Champions League, won international trophies with Portugal and broken goal-scoring records around the world.
However, one record followed him throughout his career, he had never scored in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. That finally changed in Toronto.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain ended that long wait by scoring a second-half penalty against Croatia, adding another major milestone to his career and helping Portugal continue their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey.