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The fan from China cycled over 13,000 kilometres across six countries before reaching the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, where he met the 39-year-old Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo with his fan. (X)
A 24-year-old fan from China, named Gong, made a trip on his bicycle from the Chinese mainland to Saudi Arabia to meet Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who plays club football for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia since his explosive departure from former side Manchester United.
The fan from China cycled over 13,000 kilometres across six countries before reaching the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, where he met the 39-year-old Ronaldo.
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Gong is said to have undertaken the expedition after Ronaldo cancelled his trip to Beijing in February. When Gong reached Riyadh on the 10th of October after an arduous journey, equipped with a cycle, a tent, some cooking utensils and a couple of power banks in addition to other essentials.
The star striker was in Europe during the fan’s arrival, but Al Nassr promised to set up a meeting with the Portuguese superstar.
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‘I have met my hero,’the fan gushed after his meeting with the star forward, who has managed to net a surplus on 900 goals in his career for club and country.
“What I dream of is true love and freedom,” Ronaldo signed on a banner the fan carried.
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“How could you look so calm when he was right in front of you? I would collapse out of excitement and would have kept telling him non-stop how much I love him,” Gong said upon meeting the Portuguese superstar.
“My head was completely blank,” the fan added.