Ex-Man Utd star showed his true colours when TV presenter needed money for his daughter

Edinson Cavani provided Rafa Cotelo with vital funds when his daughter needed emergency surgery. The former Manchester United striker's friendship with the TV presenter is well documented in their native Uruguay, as is Cotelo's relationship with other stars like Luis Suarez.

And Cavani's true colours shone through for all to see when he ensured that Cotelo's daughter, Emma, received the money for surgery required as a result of being born with hydrocephalus. Described by the NHS as "a build-up of fluid in the brain," hydrocephalus can cause brain damage and even become fatal if left untreated.

During a lengthy boat trip to Buenos Aires, Emma's condition began to worsen by the minute before she was taken to a clinic to be assessed by an assistant neurosurgeon. There, Cotelo was told that his daughter needed immediate surgery.

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As Emma was rushed into the operating theatre, Cotelo headed to pay for the operation, only to be hit with a major obstacle. The clinic performing the procedure demanded that the journalist pay in cash, despite him offering to make a bank transfer or to pay by card.

Speaking about the heartbreaking encounter, he told Radio La Red: "I had brought enough cash for a routine consultation, but as she required further treatment, the costs skyrocketed," adding that he was forced to turn to Cavani for help, given he was living in Argentina while playing for Boca Juniors.

He added: "Desperate, I called him, but he didn't answer. He was asleep. I had his wife's number, who is lovely, so I called her and woke her up. I explained the situation and apologised profusely.

"She put me through to Edi and he said, 'I happen to have that amount in cash, I'll be right over.' Five minutes later, he called me back, saying he'd set the GPS and was an hour away. 'I have a friend 10 minutes away, he'll take the money to you.'

"I got out with Emma's mum, freezing cold and scared, and in the dark a skinny guy appeared with a bag full of Argentinean money and said to me, 'Edi sent me, this is for you; if you need more, let me know.' It brought me back to life.

"He was like an angel to me, standing on the street, with a box full of money that Edi had sent me. I paid with that, it was enough, and the operation was carried out."

Thankfully, Emma's operation ran smoothly, and today, Cotelo describes his daughter as: "beautiful and happy, concerned only about her 15th birthday," largely thanks to Cavani's act of kindness. He also explained that after the story of the heroic feat went viral, he apologised to the player for making it public.

He also ensured that his daughter handed the money back to Cavani personally, despite never asking for it to be returned. He added: "He never mentioned it, but luckily I was able to give it back to him.

"It was my concern, and he said to me, 'What are you talking about? The important thing is that Emma is well.' The nicest thing was that Emma gave it back to him 15 days later, when we were discharged."

In an interesting turn of events, Cavani's friend who gave Cotelo the money on the evening of the operation raised the funds from a tango bar he owns, with the presenter explaining how he emptied the till after a shift and took all the money he had to ensure that Emma could have her operation in an act of selflessness.

After impressing with the likes of Danubio, Palermo, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, Cavani made the move to Manchester United in 2020 under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. There, he scored 19 goals in 59 games before transferring to Valencia.

Following a season under the Spanish sun, Cavani signed for Boca Juniors in 2023, where he has remained since. At the age of 38, Cavani is still proving his worth in the Torneo Clausura, with a goal to his name from six outings for the Buenos Aires-based side.

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