Why & For How Much Did Cristiano Ronaldo Sell His 2013 Ballon d’Or? A Noble Gesture By the Great Man

Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portuguese soccer star, is renowned not only for his talent on the pitch but also for his humanitarian spirit off it. With 5 Ballon d’Or awards to his name, he’s only second to Lionel Messi in the record books. Among these accolades, his 2013 Ballon d’Or is the one that truly showcases the heartwarming side of the soccer legend.

In a remarkable act of kindness, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to part ways with the prestigious honor for a great social cause. He decided to make an exceptional gesture by auctioning his Ballon d’Or. Let’s delve into this generous tale of why and for how much Cristiano Ronaldo sold his 2013 Ballon d’Or.

A benevolent gesture by Cristiano Ronaldo

In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo was a goal-scoring force for Real Madrid. With his incredible season with Los Blancos, Ronaldo managed to secure his second Ballon d’Or. However, the Portuguese superstar had an ingenious plan. He requested an additional replica of the prestigious trophy to be created, with a special purpose in mind. Though the original trophy is still adorned in his trophy cabinet at the museum in Madeira, Ronaldo decided to donate the Ballon d’Or replica to charity, with the proceeds set to support the noble endeavors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a children’s charity dedicated to fulfilling the dreams and wishes of young children affected by critical illness. Ronaldo’s 2013 Ballon d’Or was auctioned by the foundation, and the winning bid came from Israel’s wealthiest man and billionaire Idan Oder.

Ofer, known for his involvement in the world of soccer, acquired Cristiano Ronaldo’s second Ballon d’Or in a charity auction in London in 2017. While recognizing the significance of Ronaldo’s donation, Ofer bid a remarkable $645,000 to acquire the prestigious trophy. He not only secured a priceless piece of soccer history but also contributed significantly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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This act of benevolence showcases the character of Cristiano Ronaldo off the field, apart from his prowess on the field. The Portuguese talisman transformed his iconic accolade into a symbol of hope and happiness.

Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or winning season in 2013

In 2012-2013 season, Cristiano Ronaldo was at his ultimate form, showcasing his lethal goal-scoring phenomenon with Real Madrid. In that campaign, Ronaldo scored an incredible 55 goals, with almost a goal per game average. However, ironically Cristiano Ronaldo failed to secure any major trophies with Los Blancos that year. Despite this, he managed to get his hands on his second Ballon d’Or, narrowly cruising past Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Frank Ribery.

Although, Cristiano Ronaldo pipped Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or that season, Messi went on to to win the accolade in the further seasons, taking his tally to seven. And now, the Argentine maestro is reportedly waiting for his record eighth Ballon d’Or, as the ceremony for this year’s Ballon d’Or nears.

In a world that often celebrates only the goals and glory, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2013 Ballon d’Or auction proves that the impact of sports stars can extend far beyond the pitch.

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