Cristiano Ronaldo experienced yet another remarkable evening on the football pitch in Saudi Arabia, even as unsettling news emerged from his homeland. In a shocking act, an individual set fire to the Portuguese superstar’s bronze statue in Funchal, Madeira—Ronaldo’s birthplace.
A video circulating widely on social media shows the suspect outside the CR7 Museum dousing the statue in a flammable substance while dancing to rap music. The individual, claiming to be a local resident, captioned the video as “God’s final warning.” Authorities in Madeira are now urgently seeking the perpetrator. It remains unclear whether Ronaldo was aware of the incident before taking to the field.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Ronaldo continued his relentless pursuit of goals. In Al Nassr’s 2–1 victory over Damac FC in the Saudi Pro League last night, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored the second goal, bringing his career tally to an astonishing 960 goals across all competitions.
Ronaldo’s Career Stats in Saudi Arabia
| Club | Matches | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Nassr | 131 | 116 | Leading foreign scorer for the club, surpassing Morocco’s Abderrazak Hamdallah (115 goals) |
| Saudi Pro League 2025–26 | 16 | 16 | Currently top scorer of the season |
| Previous international career | – | 844+ | Includes Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Portugal national team |
Ronaldo has now outscored Hamdallah to become Al Nassr’s most prolific foreign striker. Only two players in Saudi club football history have exceeded his tally: Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (131 goals in 279 matches, 2009–2019) and Majed Abdullah (259 goals in 266 matches, 1977–1998).
The night’s goal also helped Al Nassr overcome a disappointing streak of four league matches without victory, securing their second consecutive win. English striker Ivan Toney of Al Ahli, with 14 goals in 15 games, trails Ronaldo in the race for the season’s top scorer.
The CR7 Museum, which unveiled the bronze statue in 2014, has yet to confirm the extent of the damage, though reports indicate that the flames were quickly extinguished. A museum spokesperson said that the matter is now in police hands and declined further comment.
The incident has sparked outrage among fans worldwide, many condemning it as a reckless attempt to gain attention. Madeira authorities have confirmed that the suspect has been identified, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.
Ronaldo’s career continues to make history on the pitch, yet this shocking act off it serves as a stark reminder of the risks public figures face—even in their hometowns.