Soccer Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Saves Kennel – And The 80 Dogs Housed There

Professional athletes are expected to be charitable these days. They're so well paid it's hard to imagine them not giving back to their fans and their communities. And many give back in ways that go beyond merely funds, making their presences known and acting as role models rather than just donors. But with the biggest stars, off-field accomplishments tend to get overshadowed by what they do for their teams. However, a few small gestures of charity can have far more impact than any goals they score or home runs they hit. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored plenty of clutch goals on the field, but off the field, he's been just as clutch for countless charities. And, with a simple gesture, he's become the savior of a dog kennel in his native Portugal – and all 80 dogs within.

Facing closure, the Cantinho da Lili dog kennel in Portugal couldn't believe their good fortune when Ronaldo came to their rescue.

The dogs at Cantinho da Lili often need expensive treatments, which has left the kennel in dire straits.

Apparently one of the volunteers at the kennel has links to Ronaldo's family. When she spoke of the kennel's struggles, the family spread the story and it finally reached Ronaldo's ears.

Ronaldo is known for his charity work – in 2015, he was named the World's Most Charitable Athlete, and he's a global ambassador for Save the Children.

And when he donated a signed jersey to be auctioned off to help the kennel, it meant the world to the kennel and its supporters – and of course to the dogs, too.

It doesn't seem like much for a soccer superstar to whip off a signature on a jersey and donate it, but the folks at the kennel are certainly grateful.

"I want to thank Ronaldo from the bottom of my heart," said Liliana Santos, the kennel's owner. "It's a simple gesture, but very important."

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