The dream of Armenian boy Ruben, 13, who has captured the hearts of millions of people, came true when he appeared on the pitch next to Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo during the Armenia-Portugal match on August 6 in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“I didn’t sleep all night that day, I was waiting for when I will enter the field. I didn’t imagine that I will hold Ronaldo’s hand. I’m very happy to have a friend like Ronaldo,” Ruben said in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Just a day after the match, Ronaldo posted a video with Ruben on Instagram and wrote, “I made a new friend yesterday.”

The video has already been liked by more than five million people, and hundreds of thousands of people wrote in the comments that it deeply moved them.

Ruben has been playing football for several years, including one year as an inclusive player. He became interested in football from a very young age.

Ruben’s mother told Armenian News-NEWS.am that football is central to their home.

“If there is a game, Ruben watches all the matches until late at night. When they win, he kisses the TV, congratulates the footballers. He is very dedicated to football,” she said.

Ruben studies at a special school for children with hearing impairments. There, together with the main curriculum, he and his classmates learn to lip-read and develop communication and speech skills.

In addition to football, Ruben is very interested in art also. His sculptures and paintings are displayed in various corners of his school.

But his biggest dream is still ahead. Ruben wants to become a professional football player and enter big football stage.