In bad times, you realize who your real friends are.
It is a bad stroke of fate for Portugal professional Jose Semedo (36).
His wife died suddenly – she was hospitalized with health problems and had to undergo emergency surgery. But Soraia Semedo died as a result of an infection. The bad news was announced on Thursday.
Fortunately, he can count on the support of his old friend Cristiano Ronaldo (36).
Today, as then, when CR7 saved Semedo’s career, he stands by his side and shows his big heart.
Soraia Semedo and Jose had been together for over 15 years. Her death came unexpectedly – a tragic stroke of fate.
According to English media reports, Ronaldo has already called Semedo and offered him his support. The two know each other from shared times at Sporting Lisbon. They played there together from 1998 to 2003.
During this time their friendship developed. CR7 is said to have saved his Portuguese colleague’s career. Semedo was about to be kicked out of the Sporting Academy. Ronaldo stepped in, used his influence as the best player in the club’s youth and stopped the academy director from kicking Semedo out.
Semedo himself says: “I owe everything to Ronaldo. If it hadn’t been for him, I would have been expelled from the academy and returned to my neighborhood when I grew up. Many of my childhood friends are in jail or have become addicted to drugs. “
He goes on to explain: “Nothing makes me believe that I have not taken the same path. Like the others, I would have ended up stealing cars. I owe Cristiano my sporting career, my children and my wonderful life. “
Semedo stayed with Sporting until 2006, twice on loan. From 2006 to 2007 he played for Cagliari Calcio before joining Charlton Athetic and staying there until 2011. The defensive midfielder was then at Sheffield Wednesday for six years. In total, he played 153 times in the English second division and 126 times in the English third division.
His ex-club took a stand on the sad death of Semedo’s wife: “Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday extends our deep condolences to Jose Semedo following the tragic death of his wife Soraia. Wednesday’s family is with you at this terrible time, Jose. “
The veteran has been back in Portugal since 2017, playing for Vitória Setúbal. There he is also the captain. So far he has played 76 times (three goals) in the Portuguese first division. However, he has not been used for the first team since 2020.
Commenting on the tragic death of Soraia Semedo, Setúbal wrote: “It is with great and deep regret that the Vitória Futebol Clube announces that Soraia Semedo, the wife of our Captain José Semedo, passed away this morning. Vitória expresses its deepest condolences to our captain, all his family and friends. We share their pain and show them our solidarity in this particularly difficult time. “
The Ronaldo Quiz
+++ App users come here for the quiz +++