That man who hugged soccer superstar Ronaldo on the field? He’s a Lake Worth college student
QuestCinq.com/News
If you happened to see highlights on the news this week of a soccer fan running onto the field during a match at Sun Life Stadium and hugging superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, then you’d recognize Ronaldo Gjoka.
Gjoka, a Palm Beach State College student, fulfilled a dream by giving his idol a hug Wednesday night during an international match.
But the embrace came with a price. Gjoka, of Lake Worth, was arrested and is accused of disorderly conduct and trespassing.
Gjoka ran on the field during the 65th minute of the International Champions Cup final match between Real Madrid and Chelsea, wrapped his arms around Ronaldo and whispered into the soccer player’s ear for about 20 seconds.
Ronaldo, a Portuguese native who reportedly earns more than $18 million as a high-scoring striker for the Spanish club, patiently listened to Gjoka and hugged the fan back. An off-duty police officer finally showed up and calmly walked Gjoka, who was wearing a replica No. 7 Ronaldo jersey, off the field.
Gjoka, 19, told a Miami television station that Ronaldo promised to give him a game jersey after the game, but had yet to receive it.
“I told him: ‘I followed you since ‘05,’” Gjoka, a native of Albania, told WPLG-Channel 10 in Miami. “I’ve always watched your games. You’re a [role] model for me.’”
