They put their greatest-ever son a pedestal on the island of his birth but you too can live like Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira.
All of which I learned when the Madeirans rolled into town… that town being my old stomping ground of Dublin.
Where one of the highlights of the year, the Meet the Media networking event takes place at the central Radisson Blu on Golden Lane.
And where we billet down for the night after our meetings at the convenient Maldron Hotel on Kevin Street.
A familiar and friendly hotel it has decided for reasons best known to itself not to line its corridors with green fake grass.
Not that Dublin doesn’t have football heroes of its own in Johnny Giles, Liam Brady and Robbie Keane.
CR7 heaven
It’s just that Cristiano Ronaldo looms larger than anybody else even if our Madeiran mates accept his statue is not a very true likeness.
Cristiano, of course, has his own hotel with chain Pestana here we grew up in humble circumstances.
Next naturally to his museum and branded as is his way with the CR7 logo.
You might have seen too other CR7 hotels in Lisbon and Madrid, where he also played, and New York.
The Body Beautiful
Now, of course with the CR7 endorsed by the Great Man himself you won’t be surprised to know that he puts the Body Beautiful to the fore.
And so there’s a distinctive “pink-coloured pool” in his Madeiran haven on the rooftop to unwind.
And take, as they put it, the most epic photographs which you’ll want to share on your feed.
As well as hanging out in a sauna and open-air jacuzzi to enjoy some more.
CR7 also challenges us here to work out at the open-air gym with training sessions designed by thew footballer.
Best CR7 bar none
And as the day comes to an end, experience the best sunsets on the island at the Off-Side Rooftop Bar.
Where you can sample the best Portuguese wines although probably out of eyeshot of Cristiano, famous teetotalller that he is.
Like the Portuguese god I had to swear off the grape too when I won the prize at the event, three bottles of vintage wine.
Which, of course, I wouldn’t have been able to take through customs
But my hosts will be able to toast me in my absence.
Now Cristiano Ronaldo is, of course, a gateway into Portugal’s biggest island.
A lush haven where you’ll want to sharpen up hiking and cycling.
And also paying homage to CR7 at his museum next to the hotel where you can worship at his altar.
Which make no mistake they do, as we found out when we went to holy site Fatima on the mainland.
And found among the statues of Our Lady on the tables a beach towel to CR7.
So the best advice is to just give in and live like Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira for €127 a night.