Siu: Ronaldo statue unveiled in Times Square

Cristiano Ronaldo received a special birthday tribute in New York City on February 5, as fans gathered in Times Square to perform his iconic “Siu” celebration.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner marked his 40th birthday just days after scoring his 922nd and 923rd career goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al Wasl.

The “Siu” celebration, first popularized with Real Madrid in 2013, continues to be a fan favourite around the world. Ronaldo shared that the signature move came naturally after a goal, saying, “I just scored the goal and it just came out.”

His birthday coincided with a high-profile interview with El Chiringuito, where he addressed misconceptions about the Saudi Pro League in comparison to MLS.

“People talk too much and give opinions without knowing,” he said, defending Saudi football. “You have to give it the credit it deserves.”

While Ronaldo’s comments stirred debate, Major League Soccer is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, with stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez heading into their final contract years at Inter Miami.