In a statement, the CPR explains that its goal is "to encourage the best football player in the world to show his solidarity with Miguel Duarte, who was made a person of interest by the Italian state on suspicion of aiding illegal immigration and risks a 20-year prison sentence.

Duarte is one of the 10 crew members of the Iuventa, a ship belonging to Jugend Rettet, a German non-governmental organisation that seeks to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean, and who are under investigation in Italy for allegedly aiding illegal immigration.

In its open letter, the CPR starts by recalling that Italians have learned to respect, admire and applaud the number 7 football shirt worn by Ronaldo - "a shirt that fills all Portuguese with pride" and asks Cristiano Ronaldo to wear a football shirt sent with the letter.

"Dear Cristiano, the sweater we sent you with the famous number 7 was inspired by the history of this Portuguese activist and comes with a request: that you literally wear Miguel's shirt,” the letter reads. “If you could post a picture wearing the shirt on your Instagram [account], that would be great.

“So, when the Italians applaud someone [whom] they idolise, they will also be applauding Miguel and what he did for refugees," it goes on.

In the CPR’s words, now is the right time to show clearly that those who save lives cannot be treated as criminals.

It cites the now-famous phrase spoken by Duarte when faced with the allegations: "When I see a drowning person, I don't ask if they have a passport. I pull them out of the water."