Christmas comes early for Nicola

Posted Tuesday, December 17, 2013 by Marca.com

PEPE PRESENTED A SIGNED SHIRT TO A CHILD WITH LEUKAEMIA AHEAD OF THE OSASUNA MATCH

Saturday's Osasuna-Real Madrid match became an unforgettable event for Nicola, an eight year old boy from La Rioja whose dream to have a shirt signed by his favourite Real Madrid player came true. All thanks to Pepe. The Portuguese player topped it off by heading home the goal for the night's 2-2 result.

Nicola was admitted to the Hospital de Navarra about three months ago, having to leave his home in Spain's La Rioja region when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. There, with his cheerful nature and terrific strength, he is battling to get better as soon as possible to be able to get back to kicking a ball around with his friends - wearing, of course, his treasured Real Madrid shirt.

Pepe heard Nicola's story a month ago and immediately recorded him a personal video message to wish him well and help keep his spirits up during his recovery – now one of Nicola's much-prized possessions. The Real player made sure no-one knew about the gesture of support, preferring not to attract any attention to his good deed.

With Real traveling to Pamplona this weekend, however, he took the opportunity to give Nicola another great surprise and take him a signed shirt. Nicola was thrilled with his gift and has not let the shirt out of sight since.

It is charitable gestures like these that provide us with a glimpse of the softer, more caring side of the players we see on the pitch. Pepe has, not for the first time, played Santa Claus and delivered a wonderful present this Christmas.