What to know
- A viral social media video shows Zachery Dereniowski asking Diogo Dalot to choose among Toronto fans to receive free World Cup tickets for the Portugal-Spain match in Dallas.
- Dalot chose a Toronto family honouring Diogo Jota, Portugal’s late star, by holding his jersey.
- The family reportedly received tickets, travel, accommodations, and $10,000 from Zach.
- The emotional gesture resonated with fans worldwide, highlighting football’s power to unite and heal.
- Now Toronto attempted to contact the family but did not receive a response by the time of publishing.
When a public figure known for his generosity handed Diogo Dalot two World Cup tickets to give away, Dalot chose a family holding a Diogo Jota jersey, a tribute to Portugal’s beloved player who had passed away last year. The family’s emotional reaction reminded everyone that football’s magic often happens far from the pitch.
On Saturday, Canadian content creator Zachery Dereniowski, known as @mdmotivator, posted an Instagram reel showing him meeting Portuguese soccer player Diogo Dalot and gifting some lucky soccer fans.
What happened?
In the video, Dereniowski asked Dalot to choose fans to receive tickets to the FIFA World Cup Portugal-Spain game in Dallas on July 6.
Dalot saw some fans with the number 20, representing Diogo Jota, his teammate who passed away a year ago, and chose to give those fans.
“It’s a sign for me to tell that person that brought that shirt to give them tickets,” he said in the video.
Dereniowski met the father, Sean, alongside his daughter and son, and told him the surprise: “So you and your kids are going to the World Cup game Monday!”
Sean was tearing up at the news.
Dereniowski added that he’ll also be flying him out, covering the hotel, and gave him $10,000.
Sean was immediately in shock and shaking, and his little girl started crying at the news, too.
‘When football becomes more than a sport’: Comments cheer on the creator’s generosity
“You’re the goat, Zach, so incredible,” one Instagram user said.
“Diogo, great servant to United. Proper human!” another user wrote.
“When football becomes more than a sport,” another added.
A woman claiming to be the mother of the kids and Sean’s wife also commented twice under the post.
“Thank you @diogodalot, that’s my husband and kids!!!! We are forever grateful!!!!! 🥹🥹🥹 let’s win this World Cup for Jota, his brother, all the families, for you guys, and all the amazing fans. VIVA PORTUGAL,” she wrote.
“No words. We love you, Zach. You are such a great human, thank you to you, and everyone who helped make this moment happen!!! You can tell my daughter is crying tears of joy!!!!” she added.
Now Toronto contacted her to verify and confirm the details of the give away by the content creator but did not receive a response before publishing.
Portugal advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto, where thousands of supporters gathered to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and the national team. Portugal’s next challenge is Spain in Dallas, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
Dereniowski, who is based in Canada, has built a large online following through videos centred on generosity and acts of kindness. His collaborations with athletes and public figures have helped raise millions of dollars for families and charitable causes around the world.
