Police are searching for a culprit who ignited a Cristiano Ronaldo statue on the footballer’s native island of Madeira and shared a video of the incident online. The individual, appearing disheveled, recorded himself pouring a flammable substance over the bronze likeness of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player before lighting it on fire. Despite the flames initially engulfing the statue, they quickly subsided.
The perpetrator, identified as zaino.tcc.filipe on Instagram, uploaded the video taken at the CR7 Museum in Funchal, along with the caption: “This is God’s last warning.” Outraged fans criticized the vandalism, expressing their disapproval on social media platforms.
Ronaldo, who currently competes for the Saudi Pro league club Al-Nassr, returned to Madeira in 2014 to unveil the statue, calling it a “very special moment.” A spokesman from the CR7 Museum confirmed that the incident is under police investigation.
Authorities in Funchal revealed that the suspect has been recognized and has a history of similar offenses. The investigation is ongoing.