Cristiano Ronaldo Support Posters Appear in Porto After Unauthorized Lisbon Installation
“Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for everything you have done for Portugal.”
The campaign expanded from Lisbon to Porto ahead of the national team’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway at the Estádio do Dragão. Maia confirmed to Observador that he personally paid for the street displays without backing from any company or the player’s representatives. While initial boards featured criticism of Jorge Jesus—including a reference to an “inflamed ego”—the version erected at the Francos roundabout in Porto omitted that specific phrase while maintaining other grievances regarding the manager’s handling of the team captain.
Municipal Removal and Unlicensed Installations
Local authorities moved swiftly to remove unauthorized outdoor displays across different municipalities. In Lisbon, the city council identified two billboards along the Segunda Circular—one near the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and another close to Humberto Delgado Airport—and removed them because the placements lacked official municipal authorization. A similar billboard installed near the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras was dismantled for violating local advertising regulations. The Oeiras City Council also explained that the billboard was “illegally installed in the municipality” and, therefore, was removed “for not complying with the applicable rules and authorizations.”
Maia later admitted to media outlets that he did not request the necessary permits for the installations. According to A Bola, each physical board cost roughly 215 euros, with an additional 195 euros required for mounting and structural setup. Despite the swift removals and potential fines, Maia maintained that the displays were a legitimate expression of individual free speech and stated he was prepared to pay any resulting penalties.
Financial Breakdown and International Media Attention
Portuguese news coverage highlighted the personal financial investment behind the protest campaign. According to O Globo, the entrepreneur spent the equivalent of about 1,900 euros (surpassing 11,000 Brazilian reals) to install five separate structures across the Lisbon and Porto regions.
While discussing the motivation behind the expenditure, Maia emphasized a sense of national gratitude toward the player’s historic contributions. “I have something called gratitude and not discarding people who were useful and are useful to Portugal,” Maia told Observador, adding that the player’s career warranted a smoother departure from the federation setup rather than the public controversy that unfolded under the current technical staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who funded the Cristiano Ronaldo support billboards in Portugal?
Portuguese entrepreneur Fernando Maia paid for the outdoor campaign out of his own pocket, spending approximately 1,900 euros to erect billboards in Lisbon, Oeiras, and Porto, as reported by Observador.
Why were the initial billboards removed by authorities?
Municipal councils in Lisbon and Oeiras removed the displays hours after installation because the structures lacked the required official licenses and permits for public advertising, according to Observador.
Did the Porto billboard differ from the ones posted in Lisbon?
Yes. When the poster was erected at the Francos roundabout in Porto, Maia chose to remove a specific reference to Jorge Jesus having an “inflamed ego,” although remaining criticisms regarding the coach’s management of the team captain stayed on the display, A Bola confirmed.
Recent Developments and Removal Timeline
The billboard in Oeiras was removed, and Maia criticized the city hall’s decision, arguing that the poster represented an individual expression of opinion.
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