Cristiano Ronaldo statue: Real Madrid star's sister says pro Lionel Messi vandals 'should go to Syria'

The sister of Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at vandals who daubed a statue of the Real Madrid goal ace in the footballer's home island of Madeira, describing them as "frustrated savages who deserve to live in Syria".

The 11ft statue of the Real Madrid star was painted to have "Messi 10" on the back after the Barcelona star won the Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time, with Ronaldo finishing behind him in second place for a third time. The former Manchester United player had won the award recognising the best player in the world in the previous two years.

Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, expressed her anger at the vandals, saying the graffiti was painted on the statue as an "act of jealousy towards him".

In a statement posted on Twitter, she added: "I am angry, sad, disappointed and speechless at this so disrespectful lack of maturity. It is disrespectful for the tourists. We all know how proud I am of this person [Ronaldo] -- I could spend hours talking about his acts of goodness and qualities. As a Portuguese I am left sad and ashamed.

"Thanks to him [Ronaldo] there has been tourism, jobs created and investment on our lovely island which unfortunately is inhabited by some frustrated savages who deserve to live in Syria. People who have no respect and do not know how to live in society."