Football mad 9-year-old 'over the moon' as she light ups TV screens with Ronaldo poster

Cleo Hunter, from Carr Mill, was on only her second visit to Old Trafford last Wednesday to see her favourite team take on Villarreal in the Champions League.

With her previous visit ending in a 3-0 loss to Tottenham, Cleo and her dad were hoping for some excitement with the return of United legend Ronaldo.

Football-mad Cleo, who is the only girl playing for Haydock F.C. under 9's, spent two hours the night before the game creating a poster to show her admiration of her Portuguese hero.

Spending the entire 90 minutes stood up with her sign, she also kitted herself in a Ronaldo jersey and red and white face paint, with the CR7 initials emblazoned on top.

Cleo with her favourite player's name on the back of her shirt

Treated to a thrilling game and an exhilarating 95th minute winner from Ronaldo himself, Cleo found herself live on BT Sport after jumping for joy with the sign.

Singing "Viva Ronaldo" for 25 minutes after the game and attempting to grab his shirt, the Carr Mill Primary student was "out like a light" after the excitement of the night.

It was only the following morning when she realised she had become a "little superstar" and shown celebrating to millions of viewers.

Cleo's dad Daniel said: "Cleo stood up for the whole 90 minutes with her sign, and wouldn't even admit she was cold.

"She couldn't get over how loud the atmosphere was and she just loved it.

"When she realised she was on telly, she was over the moon with a smile touching her ears."

With an ambition to play for Manchester United Women's team, Daniel describes his daughter as a "little football star" who "wants to be the best in everything she does."

She was made up when her classmates and teachers at school celebrated her "lighting up our TV screens", and her image has also been broadcast on the One Show and Ronaldo's own TikTok.

The football-mad 9-year-old spent two hours with her dad creating the sign for her idol