A 24-year-old man from China embarked on an extraordinary 13,000 km cycling journey across seven countries over seven months to meet his idol, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The remarkable trek concluded with a brief but unforgettable encounter with Ronaldo on October 20 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the footballer currently plays for Al Nassr FC.
Gong, from Anhui province, began his ambitious adventure on March 18, first traveling north to Beijing before heading west through Kazakhstan, Georgia, Iran, and Qatar. His motivation stemmed from Ronaldo’s canceled trip to China earlier in the year due to an injury. “After hearing that Ronaldo wasn’t coming, I thought, ‘Why not go to him instead?'” Gong told the South China Morning Post.
Equipped with two 60,000mAh power banks, a tent, cooking supplies, and essential gear, Gong faced numerous challenges during his journey, including rising food costs that forced him to rely on bread for sustenance. His trip also had its risks; while in Armenia, he fell seriously ill and collapsed by the roadside. Fortunately, local authorities provided him with free medical care, highlighting the kindness he encountered along the way.
Reflecting on his experience, Gong said, “This journey helped me make new friends and taught me patience and maturity.” Upon reaching Saudi Arabia on October 10, he faced disappointment as Ronaldo was in Europe for a match. However, Al Nassr FC staff assured him of a brief meeting with the football star.
That moment finally arrived, and Gong described it as “dreamlike.” Ronaldo shook his hand, hugged him, and signed his Al Nassr No. 7 jersey. Proudly displaying a banner featuring his friends’ names and a heartfelt message—”What I dream of is true love and freedom”—Gong exclaimed, “I have met my hero.”
Videos of their encounter quickly circulated on social media. Now, Gong plans to visit Ronaldo’s hometown in Portugal to continue his admiration for the football legend, who has over 640 million followers on Instagram and is often hailed as one of the greatest players of all time.
