Cristiano Ronaldo invites Venezuelan earthquake survivor to a match after boy's sticker wish goes viral

The disaster

On 24 June 2026, Venezuela was rocked by two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. The double tremor caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the capital Caracas. By 3 July, the official death toll had climbed to 2,645, with 12,666 people injured, according to Venezuelan authorities. Rescue teams worked for days to pull survivors from collapsed buildings, and the country faced a large-scale humanitarian challenge.

A boy's wish

One of the survivors was Andrés Mieles, an 11-year-old boy rescued from the rubble in Caracas. He lost his entire family in the disaster and his leg had to be amputated due to crush injuries. While being treated at the Miguel Pérez Carreño hospital in the La Yaguara district, Andrés expressed a modest desire: he wanted the Cristiano Ronaldo sticker from the Panini album for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 30 June, a Venezuelan X user posted a photo of the boy with an appeal for the sticker, and the post quickly went viral, touching thousands.

Ronaldo's gesture

The story soon reached Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portuguese national team, who had just led his side to a 2-1 victory over Croatia, securing a place in the World Cup round of 16. Moved by Andrés's ordeal, Ronaldo recorded a short video message. Speaking directly to the boy, he said:

Hello Andrés, I'm recording this video to send you a hug. I know you're a big fan. When you get better, I want to invite you to see one of my matches, to enjoy. I'd love to meet you.

Venezuelan content creator Armando Poyo, who had been instrumental in amplifying the boy's story, personally delivered the video to Andrés at his hospital bedside on 3 July. The moment was captured on camera and shared widely, showing the boy's reaction.

Solidarity and reaction

Ronaldo's gesture sparked a renewed wave of support for Andrés. Offers to provide the Panini sticker poured in, and social media users across the world praised the footballer for bringing a moment of joy to a child who had suffered unimaginable loss. Many commentators noted that the invitation to a future match represented more than a fan's dream; it was a symbol of hope amid the devastation. The story continues to resonate as Venezuela grapples with the aftermath of the earthquakes.