Cristiano Ronaldo has once again put his native Madeira in the media spotlight. And this time it was not for a goal-scoring record or an exhibition with Al-Nassr, but for a personal event that promises to become one of the events of the year as it will be his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez. The 40-year-old Portuguese star and the 31-year-old businesswoman and influencer have chosen a setting as symbolic as it is impressive to say "I do": the Cathedral of Funchal, a temple more than 500 years old that is part of the historical, cultural and spiritual heart of the island.
The news, reported by 'Jornal da Madeira', confirms that the wedding will take place this summer, once the World Cup is over, in which Ronaldo will face what will presumably be his last participation in the great international event. The choice of venue is no coincidence. Madeira, which saw the shy boy who dreamed of being the best in the world grow up, will also be the setting where that same boy, now a global legend, will put the finishing touch to almost a decade of relationship with Georgina.
An election full of symbolism
Funchal Cathedral, officially known as Se Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, was inaugurated in 1514 and is the oldest and most emblematic religious building in the Madeiran capital. Its architecture, a mixture of Manueline and late Gothic influences, preserves a solemn aura that makes every corner a journey to another era. But if there is one element that captivates visitors, it is its Madeira cedar wood ceiling, handcrafted and considered one of the most valuable heritage jewels of the region.
Ronaldo, who has carried the name of his island around the world like few others, has a deep emotional connection with this place. The cathedral is located less than two miles from the hospital where he was born, a detail that has not gone unnoticed by the people of Madeira, who see the news as a tribute from the idol to his roots. It is also not far from the Nacional da Madeira field, the club where CR7 took his first steps as a footballer before attracting the attention of Sporting Lisbon in 1997.
A love story that began in Madrid
Cristiano and Georgina met in 2016 in almost movie-like circumstances. She was working in a Gucci store in Madrid, he was the star player of Real Madrid, and the two had an immediate connection. Since then, they have built a solid relationship that has survived relocations, team changes, intense public exposure and the frenetic pace of the Portuguese striker's life.
Together they have two daughters: Alana Martina, 7, and Bella Esmeralda, 3. They are joined by Ronaldo's three older children: Cristiano Jr, 15, and twins Mateo and Eva Maria, 8, who were born via surrogacy. The footballer himself recently confessed that it was his children who encouraged him to take the definitive step and ask Georgina to marry him, a moment long awaited by his fans and those who have followed their story closely.
