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08th Feb 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo shows he’s a bloody lovely bloke by stepping in to help a load of dogs

Portugal's answer to Paul O'Grady

Simon Lloyd

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a job on his hands over the last few years.

Despite his very best on-field efforts, some people refuse to accept that he’s better than the other guy.

At the minute, he’s definitely winning. 2016 saw him dispatch the winning penalty in the Champions League final, lead cheer on his country to victory over France in a moth-infested Euro 2016 final *and* end the year by bagging another Ballon d’Or. Oh, and he also had time to squeeze in a World Club Championship win an’ all.

Good stuff, but following such a stellar twelve months, Cristiano had left himself with plenty to do in order to make 2017 anything like as memorable.

On the field, his Real Madrid side are on course for La Liga and Champions League glory and, despite recently reaching the ripe old age of 32, he’s still managing to notch up a couple of goals here and there.

But as well as reminding us all that he’s still a bit good at football, Ronnie has also taken time out of his hectic schedule to remind us that his heart’s in the right place too.

As reported by Correiro de Mahna, Ronaldo has stepped in to save 80 dogs. As heroic as that may sound, he’s only donated a signed shirt and it’s not like he’s charged into a burning dog-filled building, but still…

Having got wind of news that the Cantinho da Lili kennels in his native Portugal had got itself into financial difficulties, he donated an autographed Real Madrid shirt in a bid to help raise money.

“I want to thank Ronaldo from the bottom of my heart,” the shelter owner, Liliana Santos, told media. “It’s a simple gesture but it’s very important.”

For a bloke that takes his fair share of stick for being vain and full of his own self-importance, there are countless examples of Ronaldo going out of his way to help numerous charities. You can’t knock him for that.