Cristiano Ronaldo inspires handless Indian football freestyler to become social media sensation

Nicknamed “Cristiano Saju” for his admiration of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, the 25-year-old has built a large social media following through his football tricks and athletic achievements.

At home in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, his mother helps him get ready before heading out, adjusting his jersey, fixing his hair and carrying his backpack. “When he was born, I was very worried. I stayed worried for many days,” Saju’s mother, Thres Mary, said.

“Now he goes out into the outside world and goes everywhere. Earlier, he wouldn’t go out at all, but now he goes everywhere outside. I feel very happy.”

Saju said he discovered football during the Covid-19 lockdown, after neighbors brought a volleyball to his home and gave him the chance to practise ball control.

“Since we couldn’t go outside during the lockdown, I started playing with that ball and kept practising with it,” he said.

“Then I got a football. I watched Ronaldo’s skills and tried to copy them, and I was successful on my very first attempt.”

“Everyone has someone who inspires them, and for me, that person is Ronaldo,” he said. “I really admire his hard work and discipline.”

Saju’s freestyle videos, initially created simply as a way to stay occupied, gradually attracted a large online following. He now has more than 480,000 followers on Instagram.

“I didn’t start making videos just to gain followers,” he said. “I started recording these videos to keep myself occupied. They were simple freestyle videos, but gradually my followers started increasing.”

Beyond football, Saju is also a para taekwondo athlete. He recently won a gold medal in the K41 Men’s -63kg category at the 11th Asian Para Taekwondo Championships in Mongolia.

From overcoming daily challenges to becoming an Asian champion, Saju’s journey has become a story of resilience, determination and proving that physical limitations do not define potential.