SINGAPORE - Spanish football team Valencia made a surprise visit to Raffles Institution (RI) on Friday (May 20) morning. The target of their surprise? RI football team's Jonathan Chua, whose act of honesty on the pitch at this year's Schools National A Division football championships drew plaudits nationwide.
In his team's quarter-final match against Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) last month, Jonathan was awarded a penalty with his team trailing 2-1. But the teenager told the referee that her decision was incorrect. The match eventually finished 3-1 to ACJC.
Moved by his honesty, the club decided to surprise the 17-year-old in his school. Valencia first team stars Paco Alcacer, Javi Fuego, Jaume Domenech and Santi Mina, as well as club legends Gaizka Mendieta and David Albelda, made up the six-man surprise party.
The unsuspecting students were stunned by the sudden appearance of the La Liga stars, with many of them exclaiming "Oh my God" as the players entered the classroom. Coincidentally, they were having civics class.
The players presented Jonathan with an autographed Valencia jersey with his name printed on it. Spanish striker Alcacer also took off his jersey and gave it to Jonathan.
Valencia are owned by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim, who bought the club in 2014.
