A dedicated Chinese fan, Gong, cycled an astonishing 13,000 kilometers from China to Saudi Arabia to meet his football idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. The 24-year-old embarked on this incredible journey from Anhui province on March 18, and after seven months of cycling, he finally met Ronaldo outside the Al Nassr Football Club on October 20, according to the South China Morning Post.
Gong’s route was a challenging one, taking him north to Beijing and then west through Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Iran, and Qatar, before arriving in Riyadh. The idea for the journey came after Ronaldo had to cancel a planned trip to China in February due to injury. Determined to meet his hero, Gong packed essentials like two power banks, a tent, cooking gear, and clothing for the long journey.
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Along the way, Gong faced several hardships, including language barriers, expensive food, and the physical demands of long-distance cycling. In regions where food was costly, he often relied on bread and used translation apps to communicate with locals. In Armenia, he suffered a high fever and collapsed on the roadside, but fortunately received free treatment at a local hospital.
After arriving in Riyadh on October 10, Gong had to wait as Ronaldo was in Europe. However, he was able to watch Ronaldo play live, thanks to a ticket from another fan for the Al Nassr vs. Al Shabab match. When they finally met, Ronaldo greeted Gong with a handshake and a hug, and signed his No. 7 Al Nassr jersey along with a banner that included the names of Gong’s friends and an inspirational quote.
