When Martunis was just seven years old, the deadliest natural disaster in recorded history, the Boxing Day 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, killed over 230,000 people including Martunis’ mother and two brothers.


Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Martunis, who was missing for twenty-one days, survived by drinking pond water and eating noodles until discovered by a reporter.


Portuguese star Ronaldo met with Martunis after images of him in a Portugal shirt - he was playing football when the 9.3 magnitude earthquake struck - hit headlines across the world.


At the time, Ronaldo said: “I believe that many adults would not even be able to deal with what he has gone through”.


The seven-year-old’s home was rebuilt with money sent by the Portuguese Football Association and the young boy was raised by Ronaldo’s fundraising efforts before he met his hero three years later. Bruno de Carvalho, president of Sporting, said, “Martunis will work at the academy. We will work with him also in his development as a human being and as a man”.


This young man’s dream has come true as Martunis follows in the footsteps of his hero Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Beto, Joao Moutinho, Manuel Bento and Nani who between them have amassed over 500 appearances for the Portuguese national team.


In addition Eric Dyer, who is a regular member of the Tottenham Hotspurs defence, was schooled at the academy.
Martunis said, “It’s great to be here, this club makes my dream possible. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Viva Sporting!


There is no doubt that Martunis will be in safe hands as he continues to re-build his life which was shattered on that horrific day nearly eleven years ago.