Ronaldo re-ignites football frenzy in China after World Cup

Ronaldo re-ignites football frenzy in China after World Cup

BEIJING, July 20, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) presents award to the champion players of Nike Campus Soccer League as he attends a promotional event in Beijing, China, on July 20, 2018. (Xinhua/IANS)

BEIJING, July 20, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo greets the fans as he attends a promotional event in Beijing, China, on July 20, 2018. (Xinhua/IANS)

Beijing, July 20 (IANS) The arrival of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo here on Friday added more heat to a steamy Beijing summer after the 2018 Russia World Cup sparked football mania across the country.

From the airport to Nike stores, from the hotel to the Palace Museum, wherever Ronaldo went, he was cheered by fans coming from all around the country just to take a look at their football idol, reports Xinhua news agency.

Apart from signing jerseys and taking selfies with his dedicated fans, the decorated star had more to offer to the football-loving country.

Ronaldo also provided his suggestions for Chinese football in an interview.

"Give opportunities to the kids, give them good possibilities, good pitches, open doors for them because the kids are the future," the five-time European Champions League winner said.

Ronaldo has contributed his share to the development of Chinese football as he donated a pitch to a primary school in Longxi County, Gansu Province in his first visit to China last year.

With the pitch completed in May, more kids can taste the joy brought by football.

"Keep going, work hard, believe in yourself and never give up," was the advice that the Euro 2016 champion gave to the young players in China.

He also expressed his wish to see a Chinese player like him or even better than him and talked about his own future at Italian Serie A powerhouse Juventus, who unveiled the Portugal captain on Monday in Turin.

"I'm so happy. It's one of the most important clubs in Italy. It's great for me to have the opportunity to play there," Ronaldo said.

"I hope to start well. I hope to win important things for the club, for me and for my teammates. I will try to make the Italian fans happy. This is what I am looking for," he added.

After winning two La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies in nine years at Real Madrid, Ronaldo secured a blockbuster transfer to record Serie A champions Juventus on a four-year contract worth 100 million euros ($117.1 million).

--IANS

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