Vandal torches Cristiano Ronaldo statue outside CR7 Museum in Funchal | OneFootball

According to Goal.com, police in Madeira are searching for a man who filmed himself setting fire to a bronze statue of Cristiano Ronaldo outside the CR7 Museum in Funchal. The suspect has been identified but has not been detained.

On Tuesday morning, the individual was captured on camera dousing the 11ft effigy with flammable liquid, then igniting it outside the waterfront site. Flames quickly licked around the sculpture.

As the fire took hold, he stepped back and danced frantically to loud rap music. The clip ends with obscene gestures towards the statue, which Ronaldo unveiled in 2014.

The video was uploaded to Instagram by a user describing himself as a freestyler and local man. His caption read, "This is God's last warning." The post drew anger from Ronaldo’s fans, while the extent of any damage remains unclear and the flames appeared to subside quickly.

Authorities have opened an investigation and are working to locate the man. The CR7 Museum said the matter is with police and declined to comment further. The statue has previously attracted unwanted attention and was moved in 2016 after it was vandalised by Lionel Messi supporters.

Source: Goal.com