World footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired a multitude of people around the world. However, he has completely changed one child's life in particular. Indonesian tsunami survivor Martunis has just been signed by Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon after catching the club's attention due to his association with the Real Madrid superstar.

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Back in 2004, Martunis was just 7 years old when the tsunami struck in Southeast Asia. According to a report by BBC, Martunis and his family are residents of the badly stricken Banda Aceh region of Indonesia. He managed to survive by holding onto various objects including a school chair, a mattress and a floating tree. After the tsunami, he had to survive alone on relief goods and puddle water before he was reunited with his father three weeks later. His mother and his 2 siblings all perished during the tragedy.

The young boy told numerous media outlets that he had been playing football with his friends when the earthquake hit and the tsunami followed. A photograph of him wearing the jersey of the Portuguese national team caught the attention of Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano flew out to meet the boy and in 2005, Martunis was lucky enough to be invited to watch Portugal play against Slovakia. He made no secret of wanting to become a professional footballer and even dreamed of playing for the Portuguese team despite being Indonesian.

Now 17 years old, Martunis is one step closer to reaching his dreams. He has been signed into the Sporting Lisbon Football Academy where he will be trained along with other youngsters. If he does well, he could move up the ranks into the first division and into a professional career. Cristiano Ronaldo started his own career in the same club before becoming a superstar in Manchester United and Real Madrid.

"It's great to be here, this club makes my dream possible. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Viva Sporting!" he said during his unveiling on Friday. NBC reports that he will be part of the club's U-19 team that will be competing in the upcoming season.

The blessings just keep coming for the child whose education was reportedly paid for by Ronaldo. He also received assistance from the other members of the Portuguese national team as well as from the Portuguese public. His life turned around simply because he was wearing the Portugal jersey when tragedy struck. What he makes out of himself remains to be seen.

TagsSporting Lisbon, Martunis, Football, Tsunami, Survivor, Indonesia, Portugal, Real Madirid