Cristiano Ronaldo sends support video for Venezuelan earthquake survivor Andrés Mieles

Portuguese star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo released a special video message to provide moral support to 12-year-old Andrés Mieles, who lost his family and one of his legs in the earthquakes in Venezuela that claimed thousands of lives. In his message, wearing the Portugal national team jersey, Ronaldo conveyed his wishes for a swift recovery to his young fan and stated that he wanted to invite him to meet and watch a match after his recovery process. The video went viral on social media, creating a wide resonance, while this meaningful move revealed Ronaldo's sensitivity not only in sports but also in humanitarian aid. This gesture proved once again that the star footballer, who has millions of followers worldwide, is a figure who can remain sensitive and supportive in the face of tragic events.

On Wednesday, June 24, two devastating earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale occurred in succession in Venezuela, causing serious damage west of the capital, Caracas. As a result of these violent tremors, many buildings collapsed, and according to official statements, the death toll rose to 2,595 while the number of injured exceeded 12,400. Andrés Mieles, one of the biggest victims of the disaster, was rescued alive from the Caraballeda region after a difficult 50-hour rescue operation. The young child, suffering the pain of losing family members who could not survive like him, also lost a leg and was admitted to Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital. Despite the intensive care and treatment efforts of the health team, Mieles's physical and psychological recovery process is predicted to be a long and difficult road.

Social media power and interaction played a decisive role in the emergence of this support video from Ronaldo. Immediately after the earthquake, Andrés Mieles's story and his desire to have a figure of his idol, the Portuguese star, was shared on the X platform (formerly Twitter) by a user named Juan Kassabji. This post quickly garnered great interest on social media and was supported by thousands of people, becoming viral content. Thanks to this interaction network, Venezuelan influencer Armando Poyo, who learned of the situation, stepped in and contacted the footballer to deliver the video to the hospital room. Poyo brought his phone to the child's bedside in the hospital, ensuring this meaningful message was watched in the presence of the team and doctors, and recorded the emotional moments.

In the video sent by Ronaldo, the words were included: "I filmed this video for you, to send you a hug. I know you are my super fan. When you recover, I want to invite you to watch a match, let's have fun." At the end of the video, he finished the message intimately by saying, "It would be nice to meet you. My friend, a hug." While this gesture was met with great appreciation by users and media organizations, it was emphasized that Ronaldo acted like a 'captain' off the field even before his representation in the 2026 World Cup. This event took place at a moment when sports fans and the general public remembered the importance of emotional bonds and solidarity during a period when such sad events were experienced.

The Venezuelan government is trying to manage the situation by calling for international aid and cooperation following the disaster. The country's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced that they are in contact with the international community and that the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have offered grant aid and credit opportunities for the country's recovery. Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) reported that more than 855 people were left homeless and thousands of victims faced serious difficulties in accessing shelter, food, and clean water. Experts note that repairing the destroyed infrastructure and damaged buildings will take years, the risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the region has increased, and Venezuela is facing a difficult humanitarian crisis. Although a small breath, Ronaldo's gesture has an important role in terms of international awareness.