Times Square Honors Ronaldo At 40 With Statue, Fan Celebration

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

New York City’s Times Square witnessed a spectacle on Thursday as fans of Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo gathered to celebrate his 40th birthday in an unforgettable way—by performing his iconic “Siu” celebration en masse.

In a historic tribute, a life-sized statue of Ronaldo was also unveiled at the iconic landmark, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turned 40 on February 5, continues to defy age, recently netting his 922nd and 923rd career goals in Al-Nassr’s emphatic 4-0 win over Al Wasl.

The celebration at Times Square was a testament to Ronaldo’s enduring influence on the global football community. His signature “Siu” celebration, which first emerged in 2013 during his Real Madrid days, remains a fan favorite worldwide.

Speaking about its origin, Ronaldo once told FourFourTwo, “I started to say ‘si,’ it’s like ‘yes,’ when I was in Real Madrid. I just scored the goal and it just came out.”

The birthday tribute also came on the heels of Ronaldo’s candid remarks in a recent interview with Spanish sports outlet El Chiringuito, where he addressed misconceptions about the Saudi Pro League compared to Major League Soccer (MLS).

“People talk too much and give opinions without knowing. Because it’s Saudi Arabia, people look down on it… You have to give it the credit it deserves,” he said.

Despite Ronaldo’s defense of the Saudi league, MLS is gearing up for a blockbuster 2025 season, with stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez entering the final years of their contracts with Inter Miami.

However, on his 40th birthday, the spotlight was firmly on Ronaldo, as fans in New York and across the world celebrated the career of a football icon whose legacy continues to inspire generations.