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WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo statue at Madeira Airport raises questions

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has an airport renamed after him in his home island of Madeira

Madeira renamed its airport in honour of Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday - although it is a new statue of the four-time world player of the year that is likely to grab the headlines.

The Atlantic island is where Ronaldo grew up, and the airport in its capital Funchal will now be known as "Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo".

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The ceremony followed Portugal playing their first match on the island for 16 years, the hosts losing 3-2 to Sweden despite an early Ronaldo goal in the friendly on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo (R) with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa (C) and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo (right) with Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa (centre) and Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Ronaldo, 32, was accompanied to the airport renaming by his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and mother Maria, and heads were turned when a statue with a debatable likeness to the image-conscious Real Madrid forward was unveiled.

Not everyone on Madeira agrees with the decision to rename the airport after Ronaldo, but his national-hero status was confirmed last year when he led Portugal to victory in the European Championship.

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"To see this airport bear my name is a very special thing," said Ronaldo. "Everyone knows I am proud of my roots."

Madeira Airport has now been renamed the Cristiano Ronaldo Airport
Image: Madeira Airport has now been renamed the Cristiano Ronaldo Airport

Ronaldo, speaking at the naming ceremony which was also attended by Portugal president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Antonio Costa, and some 5,000 fans, added: "I didn't ask for this, but I'm not a hypocrite and I acknowledge that it honours me and that makes me happy."

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In his birth town of Funchal, Ronaldo already has a museum and bronze statue in his honour.

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