Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a personal video for Andrés Mieles, the 11-year-old Venezuelan boy who survived the devastating double earthquake on June 24, lost his entire family, and underwent amputation of his left leg, inviting him to watch one of his matches when he recovers.
The gesture of the Portuguese star came after the story of Andrés went viral on social media in a manner as spontaneous as it was touching: after being rescued from the rubble, someone asked him what he wished for, and the little boy replied that he wanted the Cristiano Ronaldo trading card for the Panini World Cup album.
It was the Venezuelan content creator known as "Armando Poyo," originally from Barquisimeto, who spread the case until it reached millions of people, and finally, the Portuguese forward himself.
In the video sent to Andrés, Ronaldo says: "Hello Andrés, how are you? I'm making this video to send you a hug; I know you are a huge fan. When you are feeling better, I would like to invite you to watch one of my games and enjoy it, okay? I would love to meet you. A hug, my friend."
"Armando Poyo" was also the one who personally showed the message to the child.
Andrés became an orphan after the earthquake: he lost his father, mother, and siblings in the rubble.
In addition to the loss of her family, the injuries sustained during the earthquake forced doctors to amputate her left leg.
The double earthquake of June 24, 2026 —with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5— was the most destructive recorded in Venezuela in over 125 years.
The disaster left at least 2,595 dead, more than 12,400 injured, and 2,227 affected families, with dozens of buildings collapsed in La Guaira and Caracas, according to Venezuelan authorities, figures that have not been independently verified.
Among the most dramatic rescues recorded after the earthquake is that of a ten-month-old baby and an 11-year-old boy found alive among the rubble days after the quake.
Other survivors have been the focus of miraculous rescues after five days trapped, in a tragedy that has shaken the entire region.
The case of Andrés has transcended the account of disaster to become a symbol of resistance.
According to TVV Noticias, "the story of Andrés Mieles continues to touch the world" and his spontaneous response when being rescued "sparked a wave of solidarity" that eventually reached the most followed football player on the planet.
Ronaldo has documented history of supportive gestures towards children in vulnerable situations, ranging from funding medical operations to sending personal messages of encouragement, which reinforces the impact of his response to the little Venezuelan boy.
Andrés's story, according to TVV Noticias, "has become a symbol of hope and strength in the midst of one of the most painful tragedies that Venezuela has experienced."
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