Online commenters were ruthless in enjoying a moment when the Real Madrid star looked, well, less than perfect

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

It was supposed to be an honour befitting of an “example of excellence”, the four-time footballer of the year who led Portugal to victory in last year’s European Championship.

Cristiano Ronaldo gets airport named in his honour … and a dubious bust Read more

Instead, the bronze bust commemorating Cristiano Ronaldo’s new namesake airport attracted widespread derision, being likened to Sloth from The Goonies or lauded as an Ecce Homo moment. Even former Irish footballer Niall Quinn was, perhaps rather unkindly, drawn into the debate.

This most recent honour was bestowed on Ronaldo by Portugal’s president and prime minister at a ceremony on Wednesday. It saw the international airport in Ronaldo’s homeland Madeira renamed Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo. The 32-year-old footballer already has a statue, a museum and a hotel named after him on the island.

Who are the footballers celebrated in these statues? – quiz Read more

Ronaldo tweeted that he was “happy and honoured” and “proud” to lend his name to the airport, complete with some illustrative thumbs-up, OK-sign and plane emojis. He also shared a clip of himself on his jet, celebrating his pilot’s reference over the intercom to “Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo”.



Wes Mountain (@therevmountain) I don't what you're all talking about, that #RonaldoBust looks fine pic.twitter.com/QefUPwYkpf

But Ronaldo has thus far been silent on the online reaction to the bust in his – sort of, if you turn your head and squint a bit – likeness unveiled at the terminal’s entrance. Many social media users have suggested it does not bear much resemblance to the Real Madrid striker, sharing their observations in their masses to the hashtag #RonaldoBust.

Fahad Shahud (@fahadism) To the makers of the sculpture - #YouHadOneJob #RonaldoBust pic.twitter.com/oooRxDuI4t

Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) Some of the all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo moments pic.twitter.com/57Tx9VhbUm

Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) all the content is bad besides this pic.twitter.com/ZUA5bzqpQ4

Others delighted in finding figures that the bust better resembled, including Sloth from The Goonies, Kryten from Red Dwarf, and the botched Ecce Homo restoration.

Tom Wright (@TomWright89) I don't see what the problem is with Cristiano Ronaldo's statue...#Ronaldo #Statue #Ronaldobust pic.twitter.com/a9UUbhTIFi

Jon Kudelka (@jonkudelka) uncanny pic.twitter.com/Ul15VHJgxK

And even his retirement from football more than a decade ago could not save Quinn from repeated comparisons.

Zeo Fondue (@newsfondue) Respect to Ronaldo for attending the unveiling of the new Niall Quinn statue today. pic.twitter.com/E1Z57T7kP8

Some floated conspiracy theories based on Ronaldo’s football rivalries.

Fahad Shahud (@fahadism) Wondering how happy & satisfied Messi fans would be after seeing #RonaldoBust pic.twitter.com/RZJKbIzvNm

Nyfa (@Kotokovski) Forget what you've read anywhere. This is an effigy created by a Barca fan. #ronaldobust pic.twitter.com/d4DsmCvfM4

Others were just grateful for the fleeting moment of joy.

cameron merrill (@CameroneMerrill) THANK YOU!!!!!! to the people involved in the @Cristiano statue. i love you more than anything ever #ronaldobust #ronaldostatue