A recent Forbes list has named Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete in the world. Despite earning a lesser salary compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, his off-field income makes him the highest earner. In fact, his off-field earnings such as through endorsements and business ventures, way outweigh the on-field earnings. Now, one of his “business endeavors” has apparently put him right in the center of controversy in his hometown of Madeira.

The controversy comes after a recent update on his $30 million dream home. The Al-Nassr forward has invested the hefty sum in the state-of-the-art mansion, which is now almost ready. Apart from building his own dream home, Ronaldo is also apparently looking to build and develop a $53 million apartment complex in Madeira and that has raised some environmental concerns. 

Businessman Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest project makes a group unhappy

As per reports, Ronaldo is looking forward to entering the real estate business. The same reports suggest the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will partner with hotel group Pestana. The work will start in the second half of 2023 and might be completed by 2025.

It is a nine-storey project, with a total of 213 apartments located on top of Formosa beach in Funchal, according to ‘TV 7 Dias’. So far, the home prices in Madeira are affordable, and the project of their prodigal son is expected to attract a lot of interest. 

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Ronaldo and his brother bought the land in question in 2014, after the regional government of Madeira renounced the right of pre-emption over this land. It is next to the largest open-access beach in Funchal. The environmentalists are not happy about the project and have made allegations against the project. 

Why the uproar?

One of the members of the environmental group, Os Guardiões da Laurissilva said, “We are talking about the largest open-access beach in Funchal, which has a plot of land next door, which belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo. He now wants to make this venture, which will deprive the beach, and there are several illegalities here in between,” while speaking to TV7 Dias. 

The local government has also come under the scrutiny of environmentalists for allegedly favoring the Portuguese footballer. The construction will take place at a site where the sea has made considerable progress. As a result, the issues against the project have been raised by the environmentalists. 

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