Published Thursday, 08 November 2012
Alex Norris meets Cristiano Ronaldo and the boys show off the signed shirt. (© Keith Norris)
Alex Norris from Whitehead got to watch Real Madrid's recent 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza and then visit the players' lounge, not realising his dad had arranged an even more impressive birthday present.
The youngster's dad is actually Manchester United 'superfan' Keith Norris - owner of the famous Big Lily flag, which has travelled the world in support of the Red Devils.
At 100ft by 60ft, the flag has even been draped over the Stormont Hotel for the funeral of football legend George Best.
Keith is also a friend of Real Madrid's physio Pedro Chueca, who met Alex in the players' lounge on Saturday night after the match and took him to meet none other than Cristiano Ronaldo himself.
Alex was shocked to see Christiano standing there. And even more so when he produced his shirt and signed it.
Keith Norris
The star player then proceeded to present Alex, who is named after Sir Alex Ferguson, with his match shirt.
"I told Christiano that Paddy Crerand (Man Utd legend) was asking for him, as Paddy told me to say hello from him," Keith told UTV.
"And I asked when he was coming back to United."
Apparently Ronaldo's answer was: "In the future sometime, I hope."
The Real Madrid star last year presented Greenisland Boys FC - the side two of Keith's sons, Alex and younger brother Mark, play for - with a shirt signed by all his teammates, for their new clubhouse.