As mentioned briefly yesterday, another draw for visitors in Funchal is the Christiano Ronaldo museum, or – perhaps more specifically – the bronze statue of the man standing outside.

I’m not a big football fan and mostly pay little attention to the game outside of major tournaments, so I can’t really say how good a likeness the statue is. It’s probably closer in resemblance when compared with the much-commented-upon bust of his head that was on display at Funchal airport.

A good likeness or not, the statue is afflicted by the same trend that many such pieces are, namely the need for people to touch them, particularly in places that might be seen as a little risque were it and actual living person (or, indeed animal – the bull in New York’s Wall Street has been similarly fondled), resulting in considerable amounts of brassing. 😀

Apart from walking past a couple of times just to say I’d “been there”, I didn’t venture into the museum (or touch up the statue, for that matter). There were a number of people present having their photos taken with it on each occasion I was there though.

Here he is in all his glory…

Olympus Trip 35 & Fujifilm Across II. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Colour shot: Nikon F70, Nikkor 28-80mm f.3.5-5.6 AF-D & Kodak Portra 160 . Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro

Taken 2 July 2026.