GOA, KOMPAS.com – The statue of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, which has just been unveiled, has raised pros and cons in India.

Located in the state of Goa, where football is hugely popular, officials hope the golden statue will inspire young people.

However, Goa is also a former Portuguese colony and the statue was erected 60 years after the country was liberated from Portugal.

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His critics say the local footballers should be respected, especially as some members of the Indian national team were and are now Goans.

“Very disappointed to hear that the statue of Ronaldo has been erected. Learn to be proud of our own icons, like Samir Naik and Bruno Coutinho,” a Goa resident told the news agency. IANS.

During the unveiling of the statue, several people waved black flags in protest, the newspaper reported. India time.

AFP via BBC INDONESIA In 2017, the statue of Ronaldo at Madeira Airport in Portugal was ridiculed for eventually being replaced.

The Portuguese football team is very popular in Goa, and due to its colonial past, many locals have lived in Portugal or had families there.

But some residents of the Indian state felt humiliated to install the statue during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Goa’s eventual independence from Portuguese rule.

This was achieved 14 years after the other states of India became independent from British rule.

“Establishing a statue of a Portuguese footballer this year is an immoral act. We condemn it,” said far-right activist Guru Shirodkar. IANS.

“There are many freedom fighters in Goa who have been humiliated,” he added.

Michael Lobo, a local MP from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tweeted about Twitterby posting a photo of him with the statue.

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GETTY/PEDRO FIÚZA via BBC INDONESIA Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Manchester United, is adored by many fans and is widely regarded as one of the best players in football history.

He said the statue was erected “at the request of our young people” to inspire them “to take football to new heights”.

While cricket remains the most popular sport in India, football – particularly the English Premier League – is a favorite in a number of parts of the country – Kerala in the south, Goa in the west, West Bengal in the east and all the other eight states.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Manchester United, is adored by many fans and many consider him to be one of the best players in football history.

The 36-year-old attacker has not publicly commented on the whereabouts of the statue.

This is not the first time his statue has drawn criticism.

In 2017, many laughed at the Ronaldo statue at Madeira airport, so it was finally replaced.

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