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Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Gives Millions to Nepal Earthquake Relief

2 minute read

UPDATE APPENDED

Cristiano Ronaldo is an expert at striking fear into the hearts of defenders, but off the soccer pitch he’s proved time and again that he’s one of the nicest guys in sports. And the superstar did so yet again recently, donating nearly $8 million to help global charity Save the Children carry out its earthquake-relief efforts in Nepal.

French magazine So Foot reported that Ronaldo donated €7 million (or $7.8 million) to the charity, because he wears No. 7 for his club Real Madrid and country Portugal. He also urged his 102 million Facebook followers to donate as well, according to Sports Illustrated.

Ronaldo is known for his philanthropic endeavors, having donated millions to children in Gaza as well as tsunami-relief efforts in Indonesia. He has also paid individual children’s medical bills on multiple occasions.

Nepal was devastated by a 7.8-magnitude quake on April 25 that has already claimed over 8,000 lives.

Update: Save the Children says the report that Ronaldo gave it a large donation is false. TIME has reached out to the soccer player’s agent for comment.

Read next: 6 Ways You Can Give to Nepal Earthquake Relief

James Nachtwey's Dispatches from Nepal

Nepal earthquake. Hindu funeral cremation rituals at Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River in Katmandu. by James Nachtwey
Bodies are prepared for cremation during a Hindu ritual at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on April 28, 2015, three days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal, killing at least 7,000 people and causing untold damage. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Hindu funeral cremation rituals at Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River in Katmandu. by James Nachtwey
During funeral rites in Kathmandu on April 28, 2015, women mourn for loved ones killed in the earthquake. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Hindu funeral cremation rituals at Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River in Katmandu. by James Nachtwey
A man performs a Hindu cremation ritual at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, April 28, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Bhaktapur. A city near Katmandu. People reclaiming their possessions from the wreckage. A man who had been buried and died being pulled out of the wreckage by there Nepali Army rescue team. Sculpture of elephant in ruins of an ancient, sacred temple.by James Nachtwey
A man sorts through the wreckage of destroyed homes in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu, April 28, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Bhaktapur. A city near Katmandu. People reclaiming their possessions from the wreckage. A man who had been buried and died being pulled out of the wreckage by there Nepali Army rescue team. Sculpture of elephant in ruins of an ancient, sacred temple.by James Nachtwey
Residents search through the debris in Bhaktapur, April 28, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Bhaktapur. A city near Katmandu. People reclaiming their possessions from the wreckage. A man who had been buried and died being pulled out of the wreckage by there Nepali Army rescue team. Sculpture of elephant in ruins of an ancient, sacred temple.by James Nachtwey
A body is found in the wreckage in Bhaktapur, April 29, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Bhaktapur. A city near Katmandu. People reclaiming their possessions from the wreckage. A man who had been buried and died being pulled out of the wreckage by there Nepali Army rescue team. Sculpture of elephant in ruins of an ancient, sacred temple.by James Nachtwey
Nepal's 7.8 magnitude earthquake has caused massive destruction of historical temples and palaces like this ancient and sacred site in Bhaktapur, April 29, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Town of Sankhu. Mush of town was destroyed. People digging out their possessions. Aerial images of Nuwakot district, hit by the earthquake and not able to be reached by aid and rescue teams. Farming villages built atop steep hillsides with cascading, terraced fields.by James Nachtwey
Destroyed farming villages are seen from a helicopter during an Indian Army relief mission to Nepal’s remote Nuwakot District, April 30, 2015.James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Small village in foothills with people gathering near helipad to watch Nepal Army helicopter land with supplies. Cremation pyres in Katmandu at Pashupatinath Temple on Bagmati River.by James Nachtwey
After being airlifted from a remote village to Kathmandu, an injured woman is carried to receive care, April 30, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Town of Sankhu. Mush of town was destroyed. People digging out their possessions. Aerial images of Nuwakot district, hit by the earthquake and not able to be reached by aid and rescue teams. Farming villages built atop steep hillsides with cascading, terraced fields.by James Nachtwey
Villagers sort through rubble in Sankhu, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, May 1, 2015.James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Town of Sankhu. Mush of town was destroyed. People digging out their possessions. by James Nachtwey
Residents look through wreckage in the town of Sankhu, which was largely destroyed in the earthquake, May 1, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME
Nepal earthquake. Town of Sankhu. Mush of town was destroyed. People digging out their possessions. by James Nachtwey
A shadow is reflected on the remains of a collapsed house in the largely destroyed village of Sankhu on the outskirts of Katmandu, May 1, 2015. James Nachtwey for TIME

See Satellite Images of Nepal Before and After the Earthquake

Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu on Oct. 25, 2014.
Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu on Oct. 25, 2014.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu on April 27, 2015.
Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu on April 27, 2015.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
Tundikhel, one of Kathmandu's most important landmarks, in the center of the city on Oct. 25, 2014.
Tundikhel, one of Kathmandu's most important landmarks, in the center of the city on Oct. 25, 2014.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
Tundikhel on April 27, 2015.
Tundikhel on April 27, 2015.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
Kathmandu on Oct. 25, 2014.
Kathmandu on Oct. 25, 2014.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
Kathmandu on April 27, 2015.
Kathmandu on April 27, 2015.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
The Vatsala Durga temple in Bhaktapur on Oct. 25, 2014.
The Vatsala Durga temple in Bhaktapur on Oct. 25, 2014.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe
The Vatsala Durga temple in Bhaktapur on April 27, 2015.
The Vatsala Durga temple in Bhaktapur on April 27, 2015.Courtesy of DigitalGlobe

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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com