The internationally acclaimed football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, recently inaugurated a museum in his hometown of Funchal.
These days, one of the most sought after places by those visiting Madeira is the new CR7 Museum displaying several trophies and the career of the internationally acclaimed football star, Cristiano Ronaldo. The reason behind it all is simple: This is the birthplace of the Real Madrid player and the captain of the Portuguese National football team.
The CR7 Museum is located in the port area of Funchal, gateway to the island for many cruise liner passengers. A great number of the visitors are precisely the cruise liner passengers who eagerly want to visit the museum and get to know more about the player and even visit the neighbourhood where he was born in the parish of Santo António, as soon as they know that the ship will be stopping off on the island.
Thanks to the museum, curiosity is partially satisfied seeing that the house where he was born no longer exists. The collection on display features the trophies won throughout his career as well as a life-size waxwork figure of the football player. It also features the first Golden Ball won in 2008 and will soon include the second, won on January 13th.
The museum was inaugurated by the player himself on December 15th in a ceremony which caused great media frenzy and ensured worldwide coverage, an uncommon scene in Madeira. Ronaldo is the most famous personality of the island and one of Portugal’s most well-known stars to reach an international reputation.
Due to his reputation which catapults Portugal‘s name to a worldwide status, the President of the Republic knighted the player with the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, one of the highest distinctions to be awarded. The Regional Government of Madeira is amid preparations to award the Regional Medal of Merit which has only been awarded to 4 people until to date.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s reputation is somewhat controversial. Many question the importance attributed to a football player. Others oppose, claiming that, football aside, CR7 is an extremely valuable brand.
Brands such as Armani or Nike or the Portuguese bank BES have invested on the player’s image for their campaigns. The copyright levies rank in €15 million annually. It is thought that due to the Golden Ball these figures may rise another 7 million. As a player, his salary is estimated at more than €17 million.
All in all, a recent study estimates the Cristiano Ronaldo brand to be worth a staggering €50 million. The number 7 shirt of the Portuguese national team is the most sought after. The football player has 70 million fans on Facebook and generates circa 137 million references on Google and there is no one in the world who has not heard of him. He is a role model for the younger generation and a sex symbol, but above all he is global phenomenon. He is listed as the top 5th personality in the top 100 of music, cinema, television or fashion.
It is only natural that the island visitors associate Madeira to its most famous personality. Some tour operators include excursions to places he used to go to as a child, from the neighbourhood where he was born to the football grounds where he first started playing. The simple fact of being in the city where he was born is enough to satisfy the curiosity of many,
The player is thought to want to invest in Madeira and the possibility of opening up a hotel under the CR7 brand is being considered, though it is still a mere intention.
The CR7 Museum is sought after by many football fans but also by those interested and the simply curious. Since its inauguration on December 15th it has proved to be a success.
