Boy Areg, who met Cristiano Ronaldo in Yerevan, has passed away

It has become known about the passing of Areg — the boy who met the captain of the Portugal national football team, Cristiano Ronaldo, in September this year before the Armenia–Portugal match in Yerevan. The news was shared by Armen Martirosyan, Director of the Children’s Health Fund of Armenia.

The child had been fighting an oncological illness for a long time.

“For more than eight years we walked this path together, and you taught me how to love life even when it is very difficult. You were one of the kindest and wisest angels I have ever known,” Martirosyan wrote on his Facebook page.

As a reminder, their meeting with Ronaldo took place on September 6 in Yerevan before the Portuguese team departed for the match. The footballer stopped at the entrance of the hotel to speak with Areg and signed his jersey bearing the legendary number 7. This moment became a symbol of support and hope for the boy and his family.

The match that evening ended with Portugal’s 5–0 victory.