New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most decorated footballers in the world and is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. The Portuguese legend is arguably one of the most popular athletes in the world and enjoys a global fan base. Ronaldo has millions of fans around the world, but not many as special as Gong, a super fan from China.
Gong is not an ordinary Ronaldo fan but one of the most devoted followers of the Portuguese superstar, who is currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in Saudi Arabia. The Chinese super fan did the unthinkable as he cycled a staggering 13,000 kilometres, travelling across seven countries from China to Saudi Arabia to meet his favourite footballer.
Gong, a 24-year-old football fan from the Anhui province of China, began his journey to Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh on March 18. Though he reached Riyadh earlier this month, his dream of meeting his idol Ronaldo came true on October 20 when he met the Portuguese superstar outside the Al-Nassr club premises.
Ronaldo signed Gong’s shirt and posed for several pictures with him during their meeting in Riyadh. The Portuguese legend hugged his fan after meeting him and autographed a banner with the names of Gong’s friends and a message inscribed on it that read – “What I dream of is true love and freedom”.
One of Ronaldo’s Chinese fans rode a bicycle 13,000 km to meet the Portuguese star after the match against Al Shabab
The journey took the fan 6 months and 20 days. He didn’t have money for a flight, so he chose this unusual way to reach Saudi Arabia#AlNassrEsteghlal #Cristiano pic.twitter.com/iwXdIvnTbB— CR7 BASE (@cr7base) October 22, 2024
Travelled across 7 countries despite numerous challenges
Dong travelled across seven countries from China to Saudi Arabia during his vast cycling expedition to meet Ronaldo. He faced numerous challenges during his trip as he struggled with language barriers, weariness due to continuous cycling and physical exhaustion among others. However, his determination to meet Ronaldo kept Dong going despite all the setbacks.
Dong reportedly decided to cycle from China to Saudi Arabia due to a lack of money for flight tickets. On his way to Riyadh, he had to deal with financial constraints but survived on bread in countries where the food prices were higher. He used translation software during his entire journey to communicate with the locals. Gong cycled through countries like Kazakhstan, Georgia, Iran, Armenia and Qatar before reaching Saudi Arabia.
Gong decided to do the unthinkable trip on a cycle and meet Ronaldo after the Al-Nassr superstar’s planned visit to China was cancelled in February this year due to an injury. Gong, who was looking forward to getting a glimpse of his favourite footballer in his own country, decided to cycle all the way to Saudi Arabia to meet him in person.
Gong completed the ride on his bicycle and carried essentials like two 60,000mAh power banks, a tent, cooking utensils, clothes and some other necessities to help him during his journey. He fell ill while in Armenia during his trip in August but managed to recover with the help of free treatment from the local authorities and continued his journey to Saudi Arabia.
Had to wait in Riyadh to meet Ronaldo
Gong reached Riyadh within six months and 20 days on October 10. However, he had to wait another 10 days, completing an entire 7 months, to meet Ronaldo. The Al-Nassr superstar was in Europe at the time and Gong had nearly given up on the hopes of meeting him but was assured by the officials of the club about a brief meeting when Ronaldo returned
The meeting was finally made possible on October 20 and it happened after Gong watched Ronaldo play for Al-Nassr in their clash against Al Shabab with the help of another football fan, who offered him a ticket for the match. Elated after meeting Ronaldo, Gong said “I have met my hero.”
While he has already fulfilled his dream of meeting Ronaldo, Gong plans to do another mammoth cycling trip in the future to the Portuguese legend’s home town Lisbon in Portugal.
