Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a 44-year-old security guard from Venezuela, endured an unimaginable ordeal when he survived for eight days trapped beneath the rubble of a shopping mall following the catastrophic earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24. His resilience was met with an unexpected surprise: an official Portugal national team jersey autographed by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, complete with the superstar's name and iconic number 7.
The heartfelt gift was personally delivered by Portugal's ambassador to Venezuela, Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva, during a visit to Gil at the Hospital de Clínicas Caracas. He was accompanied by Hugo Santos, the commander of the Joint Operational Force (FOCON).
The Story Behind the Gesture
This act of kindness was rooted in a story that touched the hearts of rescuers and even the captain of the Portuguese national team himself.
During the rescue operations, Portuguese rescuer Armando María shared with Gil that he hailed from the same country as Cristiano Ronaldo. Gil's reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic.
"I asked him in Spanish, 'Do you know Cristiano Ronaldo's famous cheer?' And, unbelievably, the survivor echoed the signature shout and replied, 'Siii!'" the rescuer recounted in an interview.
This anecdote quickly made its way to Luís Neves, Portugal's Minister of Internal Administration, who then informed Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. Proença relayed the story directly to Cristiano Ronaldo shortly before Portugal's World Cup 2026 round of 16 match.
A Rescue Operation That Captured Global Attention
On July 2, Gil Flores was dramatically rescued from beneath the debris of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in Catia La Mar, having been buried for eight harrowing days.
Rescue teams from seven countries were involved in the operation, but it was the Portuguese specialists who were pivotal, persisting in their search efforts despite other international contingents deeming survival unlikely.
Utilizing specialized dogs and advanced sonar radar equipment, they successfully detected signs of life amidst the vast expanse of wreckage.
Gil had been trapped during his night shift when the nine-story building collapsed due to two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude that shook northern Venezuela.
The small guard post where he worked managed to withstand the collapse, creating an air pocket that enabled him to survive for over a week under 140 tons of rubble.
He was swiftly taken to Hospital de Clínicas Caracas, where he continues to recover. Doctors report that he is progressing well, with only a minor eye injury and superficial arm wounds.
Ronaldo's Continued Support
This isn't the first time Cristiano Ronaldo has shown solidarity with the victims of the Venezuelan earthquake.
Recently, he sent a message of encouragement to young Andrés Mieles, who was rescued alive but lost a leg due to injuries sustained during the quake. Ronaldo also sent him the coveted Panini World Cup sticker he needed to complete his collection.
The June 24 earthquake resulted in approximately 2,954 deaths and over 16,500 injuries, according to official figures. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 people remain missing, marking this as the most devastating natural disaster Venezuela has faced in over a century.
Insights into Cristiano Ronaldo's Generosity
Who delivered Cristiano Ronaldo's gift to Hernán Alberto Gil Flores?
The gift was delivered by Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva, the ambassador of Portugal to Venezuela.
How did Hernán Alberto Gil Flores survive for eight days under the rubble?
Gil Flores survived thanks to an air pocket created when the small guard post he was in withstood the building's collapse.
What prior act of kindness did Cristiano Ronaldo show towards Venezuelan earthquake victims?
Cristiano Ronaldo previously sent a message of support to Andrés Mieles, a child who survived the quake but lost a leg, and gifted him a Panini World Cup sticker.