Martunis' story surfaced in 2004, when a major tsunami hit Aceh and shook the world. His story became known after he met world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Martunis, who was 8 years old at the time wearing the jersey of Rui Costa, the legend of the Portuguese National Team, was found safe from the Aceh tsunami.
His figure then caught the attention of Cristiano Ronaldo, who then came to Indonesia to meet him directly. Not only sympathy, Cristiano Ronaldo adopted Martunis as his adopted son . Various supports, including education and facilities, were given to help Martunis live a better life.
The former Real Madrid star even brought Martunis to Portugal and enrolled him in Sporting Lisbon's football school. However, Martunis decided not to pursue a career as a professional footballer. Martunis apparently failed to compete due to weather and language barriers.
Now, he lives his life away from the media spotlight and actively plays local football. Never seen interacting with his adoptive father, Martinus admitted that he still maintains a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. Here brilio.net collects portraits of the closeness of Martunis and Cristiano Ronaldo from Instagram @martunis_ronaldo on Wednesday (11/20).
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
This is the moment when Martunis, who was 8 years old at the time, met Cristiano Ronaldo.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
At that time, Ronaldo was willing to fly far away to visit Martunis.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
Before the Aceh tsunami disaster, Martunis played football wearing the Portuguese National Team jersey named Rui Costa.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
Martunis was found safe wearing the jersey. However, sadly, he lost his mother and two siblings forever.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
Martunis was then adopted as Cristiano Ronaldo's son. He also got the opportunity to go to football school in Portugal.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
This man, who is now a father, received school fees from elementary school to college, but Martunis chose not to go to college.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
During high school, the now 27-year-old lived in Portugal to learn football training thanks to Ronaldo's kindness.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
In fact, Martunis said that his wishes were always granted, as long as he met several conditions, namely that he had to work hard, not go out at night, not go to discos, and not drink alcohol.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
This is the moment Martunis met Cristiano Ronaldo again in 2019 after 3 years of not seeing his adoptive father.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
The two looked very close when together. Even Cristiano Ronaldo did not hesitate to hug Martunis.
 2024 Instagram/@martunis_ronaldo
Now choosing to pursue the world of local football, many regret Martinus' decision not to continue pursuing his dream in Europe.