Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar and captain of his national squad, has invited the widow of the former Italian striker Stefano Borgonovo to attend Sunday’s Final of the European Championship, which will see Portugal go head to head with tournament hosts France.
Moved by the story of Stefano Borgonovo, a former striker for Fiorentina and Italy's National Football Team, La Squadra Azzura, who lost his battle with the neurological disease ALS, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an active supporter of the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation, established by Chantal Borgonovo, Stefano’s widow in 2014.
Speaking about Stefano’s battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, via his Facebook page to his millions of followers worldwide Cristiano Ronaldo said: "I have learned about Stefano Borgonovo from Carlo Ancelotti who was very close to him. Stefano was a great striker and a real fighter - on and off the pitch. He loved football as much as he loved life. Therefore I have decided to support Borgonovo Foundation and to fight ALS and I invite all to do the same."
Christiano Rondaldo’s manager, Jorge Mendes is also a supporter of the Foundation and dedicated a chapter in his autobiography to highlighting the importance of combatting ALS, a disease which attacks the nervous system and came to global attention as part of the ice bucket challenge.
The Borgonovo family and Foundation is greatly encouraged by the support of the international football community in their fight against ALS. Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo’s special invitation to attend the Euro Final as his guest on Sunday Chantal Borgonovo said: "I could not believe my ears when Jorge Mendes called me the other day and told me that Ronaldo wants me to come to Paris. Cristiano and Jorge have always been very close to my family and I am happy and grateful that they continue to remember my husband and support us in our fight against ALS. I am looking forward to the Euro Final and to discussing the Foundation’s efforts with the football community present.”
Other members of the international football community who have voiced their support for the Borgonovo Foundation include: Roberto Baggio, Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri and Pep Guardiola. Two weeks ago, three years to the day after Stefano Borgonovo passed away, his widow was invited by The FIGC, the Italian Football Association, to attend the Italy vs Spain match at the Euro.
