How wrong you were, because this summer the footballer, who was born on Madeira, has taken a surprise segue into the world of travel with the opening of a new hotel in his hometown, Funchal.
Adorned with caricatures of the striker, replica football shirts and faux grass carpet, Pestana CR7 has been described as “one of the world’s most egotistical hotels”.
However, that ego is likely to get even larger with the unveiling of Cristiano Ronaldo Airport.
Formerly known as Madeira International, the decision to name it after the Real Madrid star was announced by Miguel Albuquerque, president of the regional government of Madeira, after Ronaldo visited the archipelago to open his first (yes, there are more in the pipeline) branded hotel.
The news was greeted with a simple “thanks” by Ronaldo, which he Tweeted from a private jet.
He’s not the first footballer to have an airport named after him.
In 2006, Belfast Airport was renamed after George Best, the late Northern Ireland winger.
John Lennon, Mother Teresa and John Wayne also have airports named after them in Liverpool, Tirana and California respectively.
While some passengers will rejoice in hearing pilots announce “we have now arrived at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport,” for others, including England fans, it will be a sore reminder of the forward’s ability to carve through their team's defence.
For nervous flyers hearing Ronaldo’s name will simply come as a relief: the airport is often rated one of the world’s most dangerous places to land, with fierce crosswinds causing planes to swerve across the runway like one of Ronaldo's trademark free kicks.
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