A renowned sculptor unveiled a massive monument in Times Square on Wednesday to honor famed soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo on his 40th birthday — and his fans celebrated by chanting his legendary catchphrase.
Sergio Furnari — known for his terra cotta-and-steel rendition of the iconic New York photograph “Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper” — created the 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture to “immortalize the essence of Ronaldo not just as a sportsman, but as a cultural icon who has inspired billions around the globe,” according to a press release.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is more than just a football player; he is a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and global unity that inspired me on the creation of this masterpiece,” Furnari said.
The truck-mounted monument — painted in green, red and gold — drew boisterous crowds to the Crossroads of the World, where Portuguese-flag waving fans belted out their favorite player’s trademarked celebration chant of “Siu!”
“The “Siu” celebrates the moment when, after scoring a goal, Ronaldo runs towards the corner flag, makes a high leap with his arms spread wide, and then lands with a powerful stance while shouting “Siiiiiuuuuu,” according to the Portuguese American Journal.
“Fans often chant along, making it a thrilling moment in any match.”
Videos from Times Square showed Ronaldo faithful banging drums, singing in Spanish and yelling a throaty “Siu!” several times in a row.
Furnari hoped the fans could break the world record for the most people simultaneously performing the victory cry, but a rep couldn’t say for sure Wednesday if they had done it.
The unveiling is part of a grand Times Square birthday celebration that the press release said will feature sports and entertainment figures.
This statue comes after the infamously bad bust of Ronaldo that was pulled from a Portuguese airport in 2018, just one year after it was installed.
The bizarre caricature earned worldwide criticism for failing to capture Ronaldo’s likeness.
For his part, Furnari hopes his new work provides inspiration — and maybe spurs the all-time-great Ronaldo to his first World Cup victory.
“I strongly believe that with the right training and mental preparation, Ronaldo could win the World Cup in 2026,” Furnari said.
”The whole continent will be waiting and cheering for you.”
