Home/Soccer

via Imago

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s journey to success is nothing less than enchanting. While the world remains captivated by his extraordinary skills on the field, only a few are aware that his life wasn’t always filled with such glory. Yet, even during his most challenging moments, a beacon of love and care emerged in Ronaldo’s life in the form of a woman. A godsend, the woman selflessly shared leftover food with a hungry Ronaldo during his early days at Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo too once talked about the time he and his friends would head to a woman who would feed them leftover food from a restaurant. After the death of Ronaldo’s father, there was no one to provide at home. And so, a young Ronaldo sought the way of soccer to overcome the cards he had been dealt.

The hands that fed Cristiano Ronaldo

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise to stardom was a journey fueled not just by his determination but by the compassion of those who recognized his potential. In the early days, his family struggled financially, making basic necessities like food a lavish choice. Despite these challenges, he pursued his passion, joining Sporting Lisbon’s youth team. During his Sporting days, Ronaldo and his teammates faced hunger and often had to rely on a nearby McDonald’s for sustenance. The staff, including Edna and two other girls, provided them with leftover hamburgers.

Paula Leca, a McDonald’s worker who witnessed these moments, held onto the memories. In an interview with Esto, she said, “They would appear in front of the restaurant and when there were hamburgers left over, our manager would give us permission to deliver them. One of the guys was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was perhaps the shyest of all .”

Trending

Is Kevin De Bruyne Playing Tonight for Manchester City vs West Ham United?

Jurgen Klopp’s Ex Wife: Meet Sabine Klopp, Liverpool Boss’ Spouse Before Divorce in 2001

Ditching Manchester City, Rio Ferdinand Ready to ‘Dry’ Arsenal’s Tears Despite Wanting Mikel Arteta to End Pep Guardiola’s PL Hopes

Pep Guardiola’s Net Worth in 2024: How Much Does the Manchester City Boss Earn From Salary, Endorsements & More

Premier League CEO Breaks Silence on Ditching Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City For Arsenal on the Final Day

via Imago

Her family initially doubted her connection to the young Ronaldo. Leca further added, “I still laugh about it all now. I had already told my son this, but he thought it was a lie because he couldn’t imagine his mother giving Cristiano Ronaldo a hamburger. My husband already knew, because sometimes he would pick me up from work at night and he would see it too.”

Read More – After 12 Years, Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo Will Finally Return to USA as He Makes Retirement Announcement

In the story of Ronaldo’s ascent, these unsung heroes, their kindness, and the hands that fed him will forever hold a special place in his heart. Cristiano Ronaldo, in an interview with Good Britain, reflected on these moments and expressed his ongoing quest to find the women and express his gratitude to them.

The Portuguese icon still remembers Edna

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In an interview, Cristiano Ronaldo recounted a chapter from his early life. The 5x Ballon d’Or winner reflected on the time when he was just 12 years old. A nostalgic Ronaldo said, ” I lived with other players my age from other parts of Portugal. It was difficult without my family.” In those trying moments, their solace came from a nearby McDonald’s, where they would humbly request leftover hamburgers. Ronaldo further added, “I remember there was a McDonalds nearby where we would order the leftover hamburgers and a lady called Edna and two other girls would always give us some.”

via Imago

When Edna came to realize that Ronaldo had been trying to find her for a long time, she came forward. Edna expressed her joy at being remembered by Ronaldo and highlighted the genuine humility that defined him. Edna then further revealed that she and Ronaldo had developed a friendship over the years and had even enjoyed a casual cup of coffee together. Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise to success from being a poor lad from Portugal underscores the impact humility and kindness have on a person.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story: Soccer Stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Make a Huge Assist for Esports Space

 

Written by

Neil Banerjee

343Articles

One take at a time

Neil Banerjee is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. With a background in media studies, he possesses a deep appreciation for the intricacies, the strategies and the awe-inspiring nature of the beautiful game, firmly believing that a variety of factors underpin each match. As a devoted Chelsea fan, Neil's passion extends to diving into the stories that surround the club and finding intriguing narratives.
Show More>

Edited by

Jayant Chhabra