Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be more popular, but sometimes he just can’t seem to catch a break.
On Wednesday, the Portuguese soccer superstar broke an 11-year-old fan’s wrist with a powerfully struck free kick. Rondaldo’s wrist-breaking rocket came just six minutes into Real Madrid’s 6-0 win over Championship (England’s second division) club Bournemouth in a preseason exhibition game.
Young Bournemouth fan Charlie Silverwood was sitting behind the goal, but his prime seat couldn’t keep him out of harms way. Ronaldo’s free kick missed the goal but swerved and headed straight in Silverwood’s direction. All the 11-year-old could do was throw his arm up to block the shot, but the ball was hit with so much force that it broke his wrist in two places. Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, Silverwood stayed for the remaining 84 minutes of the game.
When Real Madrid heard about Silverwood’s misfortune, the Spanish giant sent him a jersey signed by its players “to cheer him up.” Not to be outdone, Bournemouth sent Silverwood a ball which was signed by his favorite team. Silverwood then made the most of his 15 minutes of fame, saying “it’s one of the most spectacular ways you can get your arm broken.”
Silverwood is upbeat about the injury, making him an Internet celebrity of sorts. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, who scored twice after breaking Silverwood’s wrist, remains what he has been for many years: a player who seems to win a new detractor and admirer with each goal he scores.
See the wrist-broken fan’s story in the video below.
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