julescotia 11,407 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE A KINGThere was a touching and humbling backstage aside at the Ballon D'Or Awards earlier this week go when Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar paid tribute to former Glasgow Rangers captain and Dutch international Fernando Ricksen.When Ricksen entered the exclusive player's lounge at the Ballon D'Or award ceremony in Zürich the whole room stood up for him. The silence only lasted a moment, while the world's most famous faces in football were recovering from the obvious surprise to find someone among them, a footballer among footballers, of course, but one who has been sentenced to death by an incurable disease.This wave of support must have felt like the ultimate standing ovation for Ricksen. In September 2013 the 39 year old former defender was diagnosed with MND (motor neurone disease) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a degenerative illness that affects the whole body. It stars with a shortness of breath, then the inability to pronounce certain letters, followed soon after by a loss of control over your arms and hands. At the end of the day someone with such a diagnosis is completely paralyzed and confined to a bed.MND is fatal and incurable. A patient has a maximum of three years to live. At least that's what the doctors told Ricksen. But he isn't the sort of person that sees quitting as an option.Ricksen has experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows in both his personal and professional life. As a footballer, he carved out a fearsome reputation for Rangers, Zenit St. Petersburg (with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 2008) and the Netherlands. His aggressive approach won him hero status among his fans. Off the field he was just a dynamic a force, finding himself on the front pages of the national newspapers as often as in the sports sections.Instead of giving up Ricksen is now leading the fight against MND. "I am convinced we can make the impossible possible and overcome the illness one day. Somebody somewhere is going to defeat this monster and I would like that person to be me. I would like to be the first to overcome MND." His postitive attitude towards life has become a model for many people. "I simply refuse to go within those three years. Of course I am scared at times, but I have good days as well," he writes in his autobiography 'Fighting Spirit'.Monday night must have been one of those good days. Backstage at the Ballon D'Or Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to approach Fernando. CR7 also signed some of the Lionbrand tops with Fernando's number 2 that help raise funds and awareness for the fight against this cruel and cowardly disease. "Great to have you with us." he said as he hugged Ricksen. "Remember that whenever you want to come to Madrid to watch a game from Real you will be my guest and I personally will look after you." Then Neymar, Dani Alves, Leo Messi, Marcelo, Iniesta, Paul Pogba and the rest of the best of the world squad followed.The pictures were tweeted by Fernando's wife Veronika. She paid her own tribute to her husband posting. 'Proud of you my love'. Ricksen had difficulties in holding back his tears - it was the moment he had been dreamed of for years. Or at least since 2013, when he was diagnosed."Amazing! Cristiano, Leo, Neymar, all of them - they are such fantastic people. They made me feel like a king."http://www.insideworldfootball.com/fifa/18678-they-made-me-feel-like-a-king-ballon-d-or-giants-honour-ricksenBrilliant. Keep fighting Fernando! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFC55 107,780 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Excellent stuff from them Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cumnockbear 2,446 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Good stuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser1041 9,088 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Fernando is a King Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the goal machine 7,765 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 That's tremendous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 It was well deserved too. Well played from them and God Bless Fernando Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemdog 39,389 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Terrific stuff. I hope he takes Ronaldo up on his offer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumbGER 24,518 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Truly heart warming to read this.Keep fighting Fernando! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dummiesoot 15,965 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Just about welling up reading that. Tbh not so much to do with it being such a tragic illness or him being a Ranger, my wife's aunt died from this illness. It is truly horrible.Stay strong Fernando Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Blue Ranger 21 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I'd like to think that these guys, being the multi millionaires that they are, put they're hands in their pockets for a substantial donation towards Fernandos chosen MND charity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueboyG 5,137 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 When you read things like this it really hits home, well done to Ronaldo and co, it really puts things into perspective. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delamonty 992 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Great read tx for posting. Delighted that stars like Ronaldo took the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger4life_1872 29,308 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Tremendous from them Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbear 10,913 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Super article, he shows an incredible spirit and long may he continue to defy the odds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al 55 9,205 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Heartbreaking Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hume 12,683 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Great wee article again Mate, thanks for the update.Spot on from R, M and N. for being so kind to Fernando, he deserves to be treated like a king. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB72 1,496 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 You are a king ricksen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedart1952 1,340 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Well done to the worlds football Elite. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchammer 245 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I would love for his dream of becoming the one who survives this MND, but sadly,....I hope his strength in believing, will keep him alive that bit longer.Keep believing Nando and No Surrender. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtyard Bear 41,357 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Find it really hard to watch Fernando it's so bloody heart breaking seeing him waste away before your eyes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StornowayBlue 630 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Very moving story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieMacRFC 850 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Superb stuff and very touching, keep fighting Fernando. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goianegra 4,647 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Heartbreaking, yet touching to see all those stars pay tribute to a true legend. Keep fighting Fernando, the whole footballing world loves you Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Well done to all the players that made Fernando feel so special. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Such a shame. I hope he gets to that Real game! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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