'Even Jesus didn't please everyone'- Ronaldo sculptor defends statue

Emanuel Santos, the sculptor behind the widely criticized Ronaldo statue has defended his work, maintaining that he and the Real Madrid star are happy with it. The Airport in Madeira was officially renamed after the ex Manchester United star at a a ceremony which took place yesterday, but pictures of the 32 year-old’s bronze bust took the internet by storm with many suggesting that it resembles former Arsenal forward Niall Quinn or The Head from BBC television programme ‘Art Attack’ than Ronaldo.

Reacting to the comments, the Madeiran artist told Globo.com. “I was with his brother at Cristiano’s museum in Madeira and from the messages he sent, I could tell that he liked what he saw. He only asked for some wrinkles that gave him a certain expression in his face when he’s about to laugh to be changed. He said it made him look older and asked for it to be thinned out a bit to make it smoother and more jovial. But they gave it the go-ahead and they liked what they saw.”

He continued,“It is impossible to please the Greeks and Trojans. Neither did Jesus please everyone. This is a matter of taste, so it is not as simple as it seems. What matters is the impact that this work generated. There is always the possibility of making a difference, I was prepared for all this.”

Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo! Madeira Airport has been named after Ronaldo. (Photos)

Cristiano Ronaldo has had the Airport in his hometown of Madeira, the Madeira International Airport named after him. It is now called Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo. A new sign with the Portuguese’s face and name has been placed on the front of the airport.
 


Reacting to the huge honour, the La Liga star said, “Seeing my name being given to this airport is something very special, everyone knows that I am proud of my country and my country. I know some people do not agree, but I am not a hypocrite and I assume that some are here right now. We all have the right to have an opinion. I always prefer people who voice their positions to those who hide behind them.”



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