Ronaldo Mania hits Hong Kong: Fans throng first overseas CR7 museum

The enduring global appeal of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was undeniably evident in Hong Kong on Monday, as legions of devoted fans queued for hours to experience the “CR7 LIFE Museum Hong Kong.”

This exhibition, billed as the first of its kind outside the celebrated player’s native Portugal, offers an immersive journey through the illustrious career of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Located within a luxurious shopping mall, the museum drew eager visitors who seized the opportunity to pose with life-sized statues of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward.

These included dynamic depictions of his iconic mid-air celebrations and even a statue adorned in traditional Saudi dress, acknowledging his current club.

The exhibition proudly showcases a collection of Ronaldo’s coveted trophies and jerseys, captivating admirers across all age groups.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol… he’s special,” effused 14-year-old Alvin Lai, who secured the coveted first position in a queue of over a hundred fervent fans.

Echoing the sentiment, university student Henry Singh remarked, “He’s the most hardworking person out there. He’s 40 years old and still going very strong.”

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Ronaldo, who last month signed a new two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr—a move he described as a “new chapter” on Instagram—is expected to further electrify the local football scene.

Al Nassr is scheduled to participate in a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong next month.

Tomas Froes, a representative from Ronaldo’s family office, confirmed that the football legend himself will be “greeting fans at the museum very soon.” Speaking to AFP, Froes stated that the expansive 12,000 square feet (1,110 square metres) exhibition aims to deliver a “strong message for everyone to achieve their dreams.”

Organizers have announced that the Hong Kong exhibition is set to run for a year before embarking on a tour of mainland China, allowing an even wider audience to delve into the remarkable legacy of CR7.