A video of Cristiano Ronaldo meeting a 10-year-old boy whose dad was killed in the devastating earthquakes that hit Syria and Turkey last month has gone viral.
More than 50,000 people died when a series of earthquakes, the first of which in the early hours of 6 February, hit Turkey and Syria while thousands more remain missing, injured, homeless or without access to vital resources as a result. Among those killed was former Chelsea and Newcastle footballer Christian Atsu.
Youngster Nabil Saeed, from Syria, was invited to Saudi Arabia to see Ronaldo play for new team Al-Nassr after he was seen expressing a desire to watch his hero in the flesh.
Nabil’s request was captured by a Saudi Arabian rescue team who had travelled to Syria to help in the aftermath of the tragedy. The clip was subsequently shared by Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi Board of Directors of General Entertainment Authority, who asked for help identifying the boy on social media.
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Eventually, Nabil was tracked down and attended Al-Nassr's clash with Al-Batin at the Mrsool Park Stadium along with his mother. Al-Nassr won the game 3-1 after finding themselves a goal down going into the final moments of the game but found the net three times in 12 stoppage time minutes to earn a valuable three points.
The match was just the second time that Ronaldo has failed to register a goal contribution since moving from Manchester United to the Middle East on a two-and-a-half-year deal after the World Cup. Despite not scoring, Ronaldo has eight goals to his name in just five competitive matches for his new club.
The result keeps Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League, two points ahead of title-rivals Al-Ittihad.
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After the game, a visibly delighted Nabil could barely contain his excitement, saying, “I cannot believe I am in Saudi Arabia," before being approached by the 38-year-old goal machine.
The two shared a moving embrace before the youngster replicated the five-time Ballon d’Or winner's iconic 'Siu' celebration with him.
The video appears to have touched many on social media, with one Twitter user simply writing: “So cute.”
Meanwhile, another added: “No one can replace Ronaldo from my heart. Respect increasing after every second. Love you man.”
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League
George Nash