A section of the people in Goa came out to show black flags to the Rs.12 lakh Cristiano Ronaldo statue instilled in India
Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy has been honoured once again. Adding to the slew of illustrious statutes ingrained across the world to hail the player’s stature, the Portuguese has now had a life size statute of himself come up in Goa, India.
The statue needed little time in going viral, one which was inculcated to help promote the sport in the country and inspire wonderkids to take to the sport.
Michael Lobo, a minister of the state said, “All the boys and girls who want to make football a career will get inspired by people like Cristiano Ronaldo. If you pursue your dream and you’re passionate about it then you can reach a higher goal. This is what we have written on the plaque.”
Cristiano Ronaldo Statue In Goa, India Sparks Fury
However, at a time when the statue was being lauded on the global state, a section of the society in Goa came out to protest against the statue. Black flags were shown infront of the statue by protesting people who lambasted the putting up of the Portuguese footballer’s stature, claiming it showed insensitivity by honouring a player who hailed from Portugal, a country which had ruled over the region.
Goa had gone onto achieve freedom from Portugal only in 1961 with some locals in the area dismayed at the Portugese’s statue coming up in the land. They were also distraught at the authorities for serenading an international player while shunning national players.
Micky Fernandes, an ex-Indian international player who is from Goa, said the choice was “hurtful” and a “hangover” from the Portuguese rule.
“Ronaldo is the best player in the world but still we should have a statue of a football player from Goa,” Fernandes told AFP.