Real Madrid Star Cristiano Ronaldo's Grandparents Live in Australia

Cristiano Ronaldo as a Socceroo?

It came closer to happening than you might think.

According to David Weiner of Fox Sports Australia, Ronaldo's grandparents and lots of his relatives moved to Perth 15 years ago. 

Ronaldo's mother had the option to join them, but her son was making such progress at Sporting Lisbon's academy that she decided to stay in Portugal. 

"Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Dolores, opted to remain in Portugal. Some of her siblings moved, but her son had started to climb the rungs at Sporting Lisbon," Weiner reported.

His grandparents, Jose Vivieros and Maria-Angela Spinola, are understandably proud of their grandson, who is currently in their adopted homeland for Real Madrid's pre-season tour.

Portugal's honorary consul in Perth, John Da Silva, told Weiner:

"

The fact that we are connected with Portugal and Ronaldo, it is a really nice story.

They are a beautiful family, most of the Portuguese people in Western Australia, we are very proud that we are so connected to a guy who plays such wonderful football.

What we hear from the family is, deep inside, he’s a really nice guy. People don’t know how much he helps people, he doesn’t like to brag about it, but he does a lot of things for different parts of the community.

"

Aussie fans will be hoping some of those Ronaldo genes will eventually trickle down to a star of the future.

[Fox Sports Australia]