Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo meets bizarre bronze bust of himself at Madeira airport ceremony

Cristiano Ronaldo and the statue (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

MADEIRA’S international airport has been named after one of the island’s most famous sons, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

And while honouring the opening of the ‘Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo’, the Portuguese star came face to face with an unusual looking bronze bust of himself at the arrivals terminal.

Statue of Cristiano Ronaldo (Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Many have questioned the likeness of the statue which has been branded both ‘hilarious’ and ‘horrifying’.

Some even compared it to the puppet Head from the TV show Art Attack and notorious criminal Raoul Moat.

I don't know what you're talking about guys, I think the Ronaldo statue looks pretty good pic.twitter.com/JIUwQBuqUY

— keewa (@keewa) March 29, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo Airport opening receives an unexpected guest… pic.twitter.com/gxTP0Pdp4L

— Andrew Tate. ??☠️ (@Spudfish83) March 29, 2017

When you send the statue guy a picture of Niall Quinn instead of Cristiano Ronaldo #Awkward ? pic.twitter.com/0VR8qPskVF

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 29, 2017

Perfect. pic.twitter.com/T2eafNQtm9

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 29, 2017

The move to rename the airport is expected to be boost tourism to the island, which is situated in the north Atlantic Ocean, around 400km north of Tenerife.

At the ceremony, Ronaldo told the crowds: “Thank you for being here in my honour. Seeing my name being given to this airport is something very special, everyone knows that I am proud of my country and especially my home city.

FUNCHAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL - MARCH 24: Workers began the renaming works of the Madeira International Airport on March 24, 2017 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Local government have decided to rename the island's main airport after the Madeira-born footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The official inauguration ceremony is due to take place on 29 March - the day after a friendly between the country's national team and Sweden in the island's capital, Funchal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) — (Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Fans wait for Ronaldo at the Madeira international airport (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

“Thank you very much to the president of the regional government Miguel Albuquerque for having had the courage and the firmness to do it.

“My friend, I never asked for this, but I’m not a hypocrite, and I’m happy and honoured. I know some people do not agree and I know some people who are not here would be happy for this moment.

“I will try to dignify Portugal and especially Madeira with a spirit of sacrifice, dignity and passion.”