Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid forward donates €600,000 Champions League win bonus to charity
The Portuguese forward was named the world’s most charitable sportsperson last year
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Cristiano Ronaldo may have earned some criticism for the way he celebrated Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory but few will complain about his latest gesture of goodwill.
After a muted display during the 120 minutes of regulation play against Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese forward scored the winning spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out and proceeded to celebrate in typically ostentatious fashion.
There is, however, a humbler side to Ronaldo and after his triumph in Milan, he made sure to spread the rewards around.
According to Pipi Estrada, the former Manchester United player donated his win bonus of €600,000 to good causes.
Ronaldo, who was named the world’s most charitable sportsperson last year, reportedly spoke to Jorge Mendes, his agent, before last Saturday’s final and asked him to donate the bonus of around £456,000 to a non-governmental organisation.
The 31-year-old has supported a number of charities throughout his career, including Unicef, World Vision and Save the Children.
After an earthquake in Nepal killed over 8,000 people last year, Ronaldo donated £5million to the latter to help their aid efforts in the country.
The Portugal international, who will captain his country at this summer's European Championships in France, missed his national side's 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley on Thursday night.
Chris Smalling's late goal earned Roy Hodgson's side an unconvincing victory over their Iberian counterparts, who were also without Pepe, the Real Madrid centre-back.
Ronaldo was absent after being given permission to take a pre-tournament holiday by Fernando Santos, the Portugal coach, and has spent his week holidaying on a yacht in Ibiza.
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