Cristiano Ronaldo museum opens in Hong Kong

A museum marking the footballing achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, along with a collection of his trophies and jerseys, has opened on the seventh floor of Times Square mall in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay.

The first exhibition of its kind outside the superstar's native Portugal, the CR7 LIFE Museum Hong Kong includes life-sized statues of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, along with audiovisual content about his career, highlights of his five Ballon d'Or awards, personal items and a replica of his childhood room.

Visitors can also enjoy the first official CR7 Life store - offering apparel, home goods and fragrances curated by Cristiano Ronaldo himself - alongside a Portuguese café, serving handmade pastries, pays tribute to Ronaldo’s roots. Select merchandise will also be available on HKExpress flights, the museum’s airline partner.

Excitement has erupted on social media, with fans sharing their admiration. The museum features football simulators and talks, aiming to attract visitors from mainland China, Japan, and South Korea.

Commenting on the project, Tomás Froes, a representative of the player’s Family Office, stated that “this is not just a museum, but a cultural destination that reflects Cristiano’s mentality and message of perseverance.”

This new project comes at a key time for Hong Kong, as it seeks to move on from the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi last year. The Argentine star did not play in a highly publicised friendly between Inter Miami and a local team, citing a leg injury.

However, just days later, Messi appeared in a match in Japan, frustrating Hong Kong fans and prompting demands for refunds.

Event organiser Tatler Asia eventually offered a 50% refund and withdrew a public funding request of HK$16 million (US$2.03 million).