PICTURE THE SCENE: You are in a Spanish hospital after getting your appendix removed and Ruud van Nistelrooy shows up.
A nice pick-me-up for most sports fans no matter what your footballing allegiance is.
One minor issue – van Nistelrooy is dressed a wise man, his face is painted black and, frankly, he looks terrifying.
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The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker paid a visit to a hospital in Spain dressed in the regalia of Balthazar, one of the three kings [or wise men].
As part of a long-running tradition in Spain, children receive presents from one of the three kings [Reyes Magos] on the night of 5 January or the morning of 6 January.
They often arrive in town as part of a cavalcade with much fanfare – being conspicuous is not their biblical bag.
Many of van Nistelrooy’s followers on Twitter mistook the forward for Zwart Piet, a Dutch folk hero, but an earlier Tweet confirmed that he was visiting the Spanish hospital as Balthazar.
Zwart Piet [Black Pete] is a friend of jolly old St Nicholas, who delivers sweets and presents to lucky individuals living in The Netherlands.
American children in West Virginian hospitals relied on Patch Adams for in-patient entertainment. We hope his was funnier than Robin Williams portrayed him to be in the 1998 comedy.
Pic of the Day: Ruud van Nistelrooy goes to bizarre lengths to cheer patients
PICTURE THE SCENE: You are in a Spanish hospital after getting your appendix removed and Ruud van Nistelrooy shows up.
A nice pick-me-up for most sports fans no matter what your footballing allegiance is.
One minor issue – van Nistelrooy is dressed a wise man, his face is painted black and, frankly, he looks terrifying.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker paid a visit to a hospital in Spain dressed in the regalia of Balthazar, one of the three kings [or wise men].
Revelling in his good deeds today, van Nistelrooy tweeted this:
As part of a long-running tradition in Spain, children receive presents from one of the three kings [Reyes Magos] on the night of 5 January or the morning of 6 January.
They often arrive in town as part of a cavalcade with much fanfare – being conspicuous is not their biblical bag.
Many of van Nistelrooy’s followers on Twitter mistook the forward for Zwart Piet, a Dutch folk hero, but an earlier Tweet confirmed that he was visiting the Spanish hospital as Balthazar.
Zwart Piet [Black Pete] is a friend of jolly old St Nicholas, who delivers sweets and presents to lucky individuals living in The Netherlands.
American children in West Virginian hospitals relied on Patch Adams for in-patient entertainment. We hope his was funnier than Robin Williams portrayed him to be in the 1998 comedy.
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Balthazar benevolance Bizarre black face black pete Dutch Football forward Holland hospital visit Manchester United Marbella Patients Real Madrid Ruud van Nistelrooy rvn Soccer Spain St Nicholas striker three kings tradition Visit wise move?