Ronaldo Named Most Charitable Sportsperson

In August 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s most charitable sportsperson after topping the annual “Athletes Gone Good” list compiled by the American non-profit organization DoSomething.org . The ranking recognized athletes who used their fame, finances, and public influence to support humanitarian causes and charitable initiatives around the world. Ronaldo’s position at the top of the 2015 list reflected a series of widely reported charitable actions and advocacy efforts during the year. Among the most publicized was his reported donation of approximately £5 million to support relief operations following the devastating earthquake in Nepal in April 2015. The disaster killed more than 8,000 people and caused widespread destruction across the country. Ronaldo also used his social media platforms to raise awareness about humanitarian needs connected to the crisis. Another significant act of support involved medical assistance for young fans and patients in Portugal. Ronaldo received international praise after reportedly covering the cost of brain surgery for a 10-month-old child whose family had appealed for help. Reports also stated that he donated approximately $165,000 toward a cancer research center at the Portuguese hospital that had treated his mother, Dolores Aveiro, during her battle with breast cancer years earlier. Beyond financial donations, Ronaldo had become increasingly active as a public ambassador for global humanitarian organizations. By 2015, he held ambassador roles with Save the Children , UNICEF , and World Vision . Through these partnerships, he participated in campaigns focused on childhood hunger, healthcare access, obesity awareness, education, and biodiversity protection. His enormous international social media following made him one of the most visible athlete advocates for charitable causes during the decade. At the time, Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid and was already one of the highest-paid and most commercially successful athletes in the world. Despite his celebrity status, his charitable work often attracted attention because it combined direct financial support with public awareness campaigns aimed at global audiences. The “Athletes Gone Good” list from DoSomething.org evaluated athletes based on charitable giving, advocacy efforts, volunteerism, and public impact rather than sporting performance. Ronaldo’s selection reflected both the scale of his donations and the international visibility of his humanitarian involvement. The recognition also contributed to a broader public image of Ronaldo that extended beyond football achievements. Throughout his career, he participated in numerous hospital visits, fundraising events, and emergency appeals while regularly donating signed memorabilia and personal items for charity auctions. #CristianoRonaldo #Charity #Humanitarian #SaveTheChildren #UNICEF #CR7 #FootballHistory