Soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said he is opening a museum dedicated to himself on the Portuguese island where he was born.
The 28-year-old Real Madrid player will use the museum to showcase memorabilia from his hugely successful career, which began in the 1990s on Madeira.
Ronaldo said he would be there in person on Dec. 15 for the opening of the museum in Madeira’s capital, Funchal, which will showcase memorabilia including soccer balls, photographs and trophies.
Photo: EPA
He was speaking from the island, where he had travel led with his mother and young son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, to finalize plans for the opening.
One of the world’s soccer greats, Ronaldo began his career with the small tourist island’s local club, FC Andorinha, where his father worked.
He moved to Lisbon aged 12 and was picked up by Sporting Portugal, launching his international career when he signed with Manchester United at the age of 18.
Asked by local media in Madeira about his chances of picking up the Ballon D’Or this year, which he is tipped to win, he would only say that a space has been reserved in case of success.
Ronaldo took the Ballon D’Or in 2008, but has since lost out three times to his archrival, Barcelona striker Lionel Messi of Argentina.
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