Portugal hero to be honoured on home island of Madeira in wake of European Championship success
CRISTIANO RONALDO is to have an airport named after him following Portugal’s Euro 2016 success.
Ronaldo has been honoured on his home island of Madeira after leading his country to victory in the European Championship.
The international Santa Catarina Airport will be renamed Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in recognition of the impact made by the Real Madrid start on football worldwide.
The announcement was made by the regional government president Miguel Albuquerque on the same day Ronaldo flew to Funchal to officially open the first Pestana CR7 Hotel.
The hotel is the first in a global chain of hotels in a venture with Pestana Hotel Group, with locations in Lisbon, Madrid and New York set to follow.
The hotel is the first in a global chain of hotels in a venture with Pestana Hotel Group, with locations in Lisbon, Madrid and New York set to follow.
The move to rename the airport was formalised after a regional government Cabinet meeting held on Thursday.
Mr Albuquerque described it as a “tribute” to the footballer, who earlier this monthhelped his country to Euro 2016 glory in France.
A bronze replica statue of Ronaldo – famous for its large bulge in the shorts department – and the CR7 museum are already tourist draws in Madeira.
The statue, unveiled at the end of 2014, was at a square near Funchal port but was moved to the entrance hall of Cristiano’s museum in March after it was vandalised by Messi fans.
The vandals painted Messi’s name and a number 10 on the statue as the Barcelona striker pipped Ronaldo to claim an historic fifth Ballon d’Or.
Mr Albuquerque described it as a “tribute” to the footballer, who earlier this monthhelped his country to Euro 2016 glory in France.
A bronze replica statue of Ronaldo – famous for its large bulge in the shorts department – and the CR7 museum are already tourist draws in Madeira.
The statue, unveiled at the end of 2014, was at a square near Funchal port but was moved to the entrance hall of Cristiano’s museum in March after it was vandalised by Messi fans.
The vandals painted Messi’s name and a number 10 on the statue as the Barcelona striker pipped Ronaldo to claim an historic fifth Ballon d’Or.
Meanwhile at Cristiano Statue!
Congratulations to #Portugal !#madeiraisland #ronaldo#cristianoronaldo #Cristiano
Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro took to Facebook after the attack to say she was “ashamed” at what had happened and claim the “savages” who vandalised the effigy deserved to be sent to Syria.
She raged: “I find the act in itself a dishonour but what I find more shameful is the envy that surrounds him and the rage that some unloved and frustrated fatheads display in public in a disgraceful way which leaves me as a Portuguese person ashamed and sad.
“The people that are responsible for this and other negative things directed towards this person should know that our island was recently voted the world’s leading island destination not just for the beautiful sea that surrounds us or for our marvellous gastronomy or even the warm Madeiran welcome.
“It was in part thanks to this great Madeiran figure that honours his origins.
She raged: “I find the act in itself a dishonour but what I find more shameful is the envy that surrounds him and the rage that some unloved and frustrated fatheads display in public in a disgraceful way which leaves me as a Portuguese person ashamed and sad.
“The people that are responsible for this and other negative things directed towards this person should know that our island was recently voted the world’s leading island destination not just for the beautiful sea that surrounds us or for our marvellous gastronomy or even the warm Madeiran welcome.
“It was in part thanks to this great Madeiran figure that honours his origins.
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