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How @Cristiano saved @JVSemedo's career is always going to be one of the most inspirational stories of an Athlete you'd ever come across.
José Semedo went to the extent of claiming it was Ronaldo’s intervention that saved him from dying on the streets. Full story
José Semedo went to the extent of claiming it was Ronaldo’s intervention that saved him from dying on the streets. Full story
It all began when Ronaldo and Semedo met in Sporting Lisbon's academy where they grew up as the best of friends.
They were both 14 at the time and Cristiano was the star player.
Semedo: "Cristiano was the best out there. He could control, pass, and oh my god... score"
They were both 14 at the time and Cristiano was the star player.
Semedo: "Cristiano was the best out there. He could control, pass, and oh my god... score"
However, Semedo & Cristiano's talents and potential lay at opposite ends of the spectrum. Things started getting worrying for Semedo when Sporting threatened to kick him out of the academy.
Cristiano didn't like it. At the age of just 14, he threatened to leave himself.
Cristiano didn't like it. At the age of just 14, he threatened to leave himself.
Semedo: "He (Ronaldo) told the directors they could put an extra bed in his room, that we could share a cupboard for clothes. He said that if I went. He would as well."
Ronaldo was a precious gem to Sporting Lisbon's directors. Which made them agree to let Semedo continue.
Semedo: "I owe everything to him. I was only 14 and the place I was from, Sebutal.. is not a good place for a young man to live. A lot of my friends from there were involved in crime. Some are in jail and some are dead. If I went back, I might've stolen cars with them."
"My family. My children and my career. It's all because of him. I owe him my life."
To this day, Cristiano Ronaldo and José Semedo are still close friends.
To this day, Cristiano Ronaldo and José Semedo are still close friends.
