CRISTIANO RONALDO has stepped in to save a dog kennel - and the 80 dogs that are housed there.

Reports in Portugal claim the Real Madrid superstar has got involved to raise funds for the struggling shelter.

4 Cristiano Ronaldo has donated a signed jersey to help raise money for a struggling dog kennel Credit: CM Journal

4 Cristiano Ronaldo is available for £8.0m in Dream Team Europe

Correrio de Mahna report that Ronaldo has stepped in to save the Cantinho da Lili by donating a signed Real Madrid jersey that will be auctioned off.

The shelter in Gouveia, 190miles north east of Lisbon, houses dogs that can need treatment costing more than £1,700.

The expensive treatment has left the shelter facing financial difficulties.

A volunteer at the kennel, 53-year-old Gloria Carvalho, is said to have links to Ronaldo's extended family.

She is said to have aired the problems with word eventually getting to the Ballon d'Or winner.

Liliana Santos, who owns the shelter, told the paper: "I want to thank Ronaldo from the bottom of my heart.

"It’s a simple gesture, but very important."

4 Owner Liliana Santos thanked Ronaldo 'from the bottom of my heart' Credit: CM Journal

4 The Ballon d'Or winner was named the world's most charitable athlete in 2015 Credit: EPA

Ronaldo, who turned 32 at the weekend, is often involved in charitable gestures.

He is a global ambassador for Save the Children and also works with Unicef and World Vision.

In August 2015 he was named the 'World's Most Charitable Athlete' after donating hundreds of thousands and helping raise millions more.