Dream come true as 2004 Tsunami survivor joins Sporting Lisbon academy

A boy who survived the Indonesian tsunami has described joining Sporting Lisbon’s football academy as a “dream come true”. Martunis, now 17, lived off dried noodles and puddle water for three weeks before he was discovered by rescue teams after the 2004 disaster – and was wearing a Portugal football shirt with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name on the back. Soon afterwards, he was flown to meet the team, who created a fund to help his family rebuild their home.

It’s great to be here, this club makes my dream possible. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Viva Sporting!

Martunis, during a presentation.

Ronaldo also met Martunis in his native Indonesia, and reportedly financed his education. The teenager is now following in the footsteps of his idol by training at Sporting’s academy, where he will “live, study and grow as a man and footballer”. More than 220,000 people in countries bordering the Indian Ocean lost their lives in the tsunami. Martunis was found in the region of Aceh, in northern Sumatra.

I believe that many adults would not even be able to deal with what he has gone through.

Cristiano Ronaldo.

World Ronaldo