Controversy trails Ronaldo’s statue at airport naming event

Football fans from around the world have questioned the resemblance of a statue of Portugal and Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo which was unveiled on the Portuguese island of Madeira on Wednesday in honor of the footballer.



The statue was revealed at a ceremony to name the island's airport after Ronaldo with Portuguese president and the prime minister in attendance to unveil the tribute to the player outside the terminal entrance.

Many of the critics on social media say the art work looks more like former Republic of Ireland captain Niall Quinn than Ronaldo.

President Rebelo de Sousa said Ronaldo "projects Madeira and Portugal across the world far more than anybody else".

Ronaldo, 32 is a local hero in Madeira, where he is seen as a rags-to-riches success. He already has a museum about him in his hometown of Funchal.