Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s most charitable sports star after donating millions of pounds to causes across the globe. Ronaldo topped DoSomething.org’s Athletes Gone Good 2015 list and beat the likes of John Cena, Serena Williams and Barcelona star Neymar.
The former Manchester United winger has been recognised for his generosity – where he has raised money for various causes and used his global status as a spokesperson for charities.
Ronaldo is first having supported Aid Still Required, Cahonas Scotland, Save the Children, UNICEF and World Vision. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list for going above and beyond on the field and in his charity work.
The football star raised money for various causes including donating more than $83,000 to a 10-year-old fan in need of brain surgery and giving more than $165,000 to fund a cancer center in Portugal that treated his mother,’ Dosomething.org said.
‘Ronaldo has also used his fame as a global spokesperson for a variety of causes including childhood hunger, obesity and biodiversity.’ Olympic diver Tom Daley was also listed alongside Ronaldo, Serena and LeBron James in the top 20 list. The 21-year-old, whose father lost his life to a brain tumour aged just 40, is a patron of The Brain Tumour Charity.
Wimbledon champion Serena Williams is third behind wrestler Cena as figure skater Yuna Tim and Neymar complete the top five. Daley, meanwhile, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an image of his pet dog and said: ‘Nothing better than cuddles with MINCHI’
Top 20 charitable sports stars
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – Football
2) John Cena – WWE wrestling
3) Serena Williams – Tennis
4) Yuna Tim – Figure skater
5) Neymar – Football
6) LeBron James – Basketball
7) Heather O’Reilley – Football
8) Maria Sharapova – Tennis
9) Mo’ne Davis – Baseball
10) Richard Sherman – American football
11) Charlie White/Meryl Davis – Figure skater
12) Dan Carter – Rugby
13) Roman Reigns – WWE wrestling
14) Ronda Rousey – Judo
15) Lindsey Vonn – Skier
16) Tom Daley – Diver
17) Bethany Hanmilton – Surfer
18) Saina Nehwal – Badminton
19) Paul Rabil – Lacrosse player
20 Shahid Afridi – Cricket
