Save the Children describes media reports as “false”

Save the Children has revealed Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has not donated £5 million to its emergency response team in Nepal.

The international charity made a statement to clarify after reports in a French football magazine said the Portuguese superstar had donated the large slice of his estimated £13m annual salary at the weekend.

The statement described the report as “false” but did say Ronaldo, who is global ambassador for Save the Children, had used his profile to help the cause.

The statement reads: “Cristiano Ronaldo, has used his voice and his global visibility to raise awareness of the problems that the most vulnerable children around the world, including those affected by the earthquake in Nepal face.

“The latest information on the donation of Cristiano Ronaldo to the emergency response of Save the Children in Nepal is false.

“After the second earthquake, which has brought further devastation to the country, the NGO wants to thank Cristiano Ronaldo and other influential people support to publicise the situation in which children and families in Nepal are.”

The first earthquake, which measured 7.8 magnitude, struck on 25 April killing over 8,000 and affecting the lives of at least 8 million people.

The second hit eastern Nepal on Tuesday and early indications are 76 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Nepal Earthquake Appeal has raised over £50m.