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A 12-foot-tall bronze statue of soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled in New York City’s Times Square on February 5, 2025, to mark his 40th birthday. Created by famous Italian sculptor Sergio Furnari, the masterpiece is meant to immortalize Ronaldo as not just an exceptional athlete but also as a global cultural icon.
Furnari, famous for his terra cotta-and-steel reimagining of the iconic “Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper” photograph, said, “Cristiano Ronaldo is more than just a football player; he is a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and global unity that inspired me in the creation of this masterpiece.”
The statue, wrapped In green, red, and gold colors and mounted on a truck, attracted ecstatic crowds to the Crossroads of the World. Waving Portuguese flags, enthusiastic fans loudly chanted Ronaldo’s iconic celebration shout: “Siu!” This is iconic in that Ronaldo sprints to the corner flag, leaps into the air with his arms outstretched, lands in a powerful stance, and exclaims, “Siiiiiuuuuu.”
Videos of the scene show fans drumming, chanting, and periodically shouting “Siu!”-the victory cry-in unison. Furnari had hoped this would be able to set the world record for most people together performing the call, though there is no indication if that came to fruition as of yet.
This is part of a larger birthday celebration in Times Square featuring sports and entertainment personalities. This unveiling comes after an earlier attempt in 2018, when an airport bust of Ronaldo in Portugal was panned for not looking like him; this one, however, has gained widespread praise for truly resembling the soccer icon in Furnari’s rendering.
He has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League throughout his illustrious career. He has been ranked several times as the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, and his combined social media following goes over a billion followers.
Furnari said he hopes this tribute will motivate Ronaldo to achieve more, adding, “I strongly believe that with the right training and mental preparation, Ronaldo could win the World Cup in 2026. The whole continent will be waiting and cheering for you.”
The statue stands as a testament to Ronaldo’s enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on fans worldwide.
