Cristiano Ronaldo Springs Into Action During Deadly Wildfires

Cristiano Ronaldo is a hero. So when his island birthplace of Madeira was engulfed by deadly wildfires, he did what heroes do: got on the horn with the island’s president, Miguel Albuquerque, and pledged to use his resources, influence, and money to help the island.

So far, the fires have killed three people, caused mass evacuations, and injured at least 8 firefighters.

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Massive Fire Mishap In Madeira Islands | Portugal| @tv5newsnow#mishap #madeirafire #TV5news pic.twitter.com/rGfhOChzXT

— TV5 News (@tv5newsnow) August 11, 2016

Here’s what Madeira normally looks like:

For those of you who don’t have an atlas handy, Madeiro is a Portuguese archipelago about 670 miles off the coast of Portugal. It’s a little oasis in the middle of the ocean.

It’s unclear how much money Ronaldo pledged to spend to help firefighting efforts, but that’s not the point. He didn’t have to do anything.

But he’s a man of the people and couldn’t sit idly by while his hometown was ravaged by fire.

It is with an aching heart that I’m seeing what’s happening in Madeira and other parts of the country.

My support goes out with a thank you to all those firefighters who are bravely risking their lives to save so many others. I am with you.

Cristiano Ronaldo

I’ve always respected Cristiano Ronaldo as a soccer player. But I’ve come to respect him more as a man.

It’s easy for the media to paint him as a whiny primadonna because of the way he acts on the field.

But to extrapolate that as an indication of his true character is just wrong.

He does a ton of good things off the field. Google “Ronaldo charity” if you don’t believe me.

Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible soccer player, but he might be an even better human being.