‘Welcome to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport’
The airport at Funchal, Madeira has been renamed after one of its most famous sons, and will from now on be known as the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.
The decision to change the name of the airport on the island was taken by the Regional Government at a council meeting and was made to show Madeira’s appreciation of the Portuguese international footballer for raising the profile of the region.
The decision was made public by the regional government at the inauguration of the first of the Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels, the Pestana CR7 Funchal.
Speaking at the event, an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo told the audience: “This is where it all began.”
The CR7 hotel opened to the public at the beginning of July, but was only officially inaugurated by Cristiano on 22 July due to commitments at the European football championships, where he led Portugal to their maiden title in the competition.
Four CR7 hotels are to open in the coming months, with Lisbon being the next, followed by Madrid and New York.
The four units are expected to come at a cost of 75 million euros and are the result of an equal partnership between Pestana and Cristiano Ronaldo.