Portugal football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his hometown Funchal in Madeira on Sunday in order to attend the unveiling of a statue that has been sculpted in his honour.

The World Player of the Year travelled back home to the Portuguese island from Marrakech where he helped Real Madrid lift the Club World Cup, their fourth trophy, on Saturday.

An emotional Ronaldo, who was joined by family members and thousands of fans at the ceremony, said that this is a very special moment, to have a statue of himself, Sport24 reported.

Ronaldo's mother Dolores Aveiro said that her son has never forgotten his origins.

The 3.4-metre tall statue forms part of Ronaldo's personal museum on the island housing his haul of trophies including his two Ballon d'Or titles, with a third one possibly on its way as the Real Madrid star is favourite to win the FIFA award again, the report added.