Cristiano Ronaldo News: Ahead of UCL clash, Juventus star sent a message to Ajax player who suffered brain damage 

What's the story?

Ahead of Juventus' Champions League quarter-final clash against Ajax on Wednesday, Bianconeri forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, sent out a heartfelt message to Abdelhak Nouri, who was left with brain damage after suffering cardiac arrest during a pre-season friendly.

In case you didn't know...

Nouri collapsed during a friendly game against Werder Bremen on July 2017 due to cardiac arrhythmia. It has since been confirmed that the youngster suffered permanent brain damage.

The Ajax star's brother Abderrahim gave an update on the situation last year saying (via The Sun),

"His neurological condition is better than a few months ago. Physically, it's hard. He does not move the body, just the head, but sometimes he gets out of bed to sit in his wheelchair. You can communicate with him."

"In the beginning, we were not allowed to stay with him for a long time. Those are the hospital's rules. You have visiting hours."

"But after a while, the doctors saw that we as a family had a lot of influence on Abdelhak."

"He became calmer. He recognised us. We reassure him, he hears a familiar voice. Since then we can, and do, stay with him 24 hours a day. Because it does him good."

The heart of the matter

Prior to his clash against Ajax, Ronaldo released a video in which he sent Nouri birthday wishes, adding that he hopes the youngster gets better soon.

In the video, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said,

"Just to wish you a happy birthday, I wish that you recover fast, and all the best for you man. Take care, keep in touch."

Amazing support by Cristiano for brother Abdelhak Nouri. We keep praying.. Any place Any time ❤🤲🏼 pic.twitter.com/vFtHIK1vgo

— TouzaniTV (@touzani7) April 9, 2019

What's next?

Juventus went on to register a 1-1 draw against Ajax last night and will once again face them in the second leg on April 16.