Cristiano Ronaldo footed medical bills for hundreds injured in Portugal wildfires

Pop star Katia Aveiro posted a link to a report about the Real Madrid’s forward’s generosity on her Facebook page.

Cristiano Ronaldo fanpage O Eterno Melhor Do Mundo claimed on Thursday in a Facebook post: “Cristiano Ronaldo paid for the medical treatment of the 370 people injured in the Portuguese wildfires.” 

Katia, one of the Real Madrid forward’s three siblings, responded with her own Facebook post applauding the move and writing: “This is a good way to react.” 

Cristiano, who comes from Madeira, took to Facebook after the weekend wildfires which claimed the lives of 42 people to say: “It’s impossible to remain indifferent to this tragedy. Solidarity with the relatives and friends of the victims.

“Full support for firefighters who risk their live to help in the best way possible.”

And fans were full of praise for one of football’s best known stars.

Lurdes Domingues said: “Thanks Champion. You have a heart of gold.” 

Angela Vitor added: “You are beautiful on the inside and outside Cristiano. I don’t understand how there are people who can criticise you.” 

Manchester United manager and fellow countryman Jose Mourinho said he would gladly swap a football win for the lives of people killed in the fires which devastated the north and central part of Portugal.

Singer Madonna, currently living in Lisbon also said she was praying for the loved ones of those killed.

There was no immediate comment from Cristiano’s agents Gestifute.

Cristiano, 31, due to become a father again shortly and add to his current batch of three children, offered financial support to his native Madeira following devastating wildfires which killed three people and led to mass evacuations last summer.

The Real Madrid striker made the offer during a phone call to island president Miguel Albuquerque.

Reports in Portugal at the time didn’t say how much he had offered.

After his conversation with Mr Albuquerque, the footballer posted a message on his Facebook page revealing his pain over the devastating fires in Madeira and other parts of Portugal, especially the north.

He said: “It is with an aching heart that I’m seeing what’s happening in Madeira and other parts of the country.

“My support goes out with a thank you to all those firefighters who are bravely risking their lives to save so many others. I am with you.” 

The Portuguese weekend wildfires, which came four months after 64 people died in forest fires which started in the town of Pedrogao Grande near Coimbra, led to the resignation on Wednesday of the country’s Interior Minister Constanca Urbana de Sousa.”