Emoji stunt by Ronaldo turns Madeira wedding hype into hoax

A sea of fans gathered in front of the Sé in Madeira as the De Instagram‑emoji posted by Ronaldo sparked a frenzy. Thousands streamed to the cathedral, expecting the 41‑year‑old star to marry Georgina Rodriguez.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, posted five laughing emojis on Instagram after the crowd assembled, making clear that the anticipated ceremony never took place. The Portuguese star turned a worldwide wedding hype into a public joke.

The local newspaper Jornal da Madeira shared an Instagram‑post showing a sea of supporters filling the square before the Sé, the cathedral of Madeira. The post’s caption said fans were waiting for Ronaldo’s wedding, and five laughing emojis were later added by the footballer himself.

Jordi De Koninck, sport journalist at HLN9, and his team documented the incident in August 2026. Reporter Nadine Van Der Linden and photographer Felix Rabou travelled to Madeira to uncover the story behind the alleged marriage.

“A crowd fills the square in front of the Sé (the cathedral of Madeira, ed.) awaiting Ronaldo, who is to marry there,” the article quoted as local reporting, underscoring the huge anticipation surrounding the event.

Jornal da Madeira’s article convinced readers that CR7 and his partner Georgina Rodriguez would wed, dubbing it “the wedding of the century”. Fans stood in dense rows hoping to witness the ceremony, only to discover none was planned.

Instead, Fabio Santos Ramos and Fatima Nicole Cunha Teixeira, a couple now residing in France, exchanged vows on Saturday in the same cathedral. Their wedding was unintentionally spotlighted by the influx of Ronaldo supporters.

When asked about the Instagram‑post, Ronaldo responded with five laughing emojis, a clear sign he found the whole situation amusing. The ex‑Manchester United and Real Madrid forward posted the reaction directly on his Instagram account.

Disappointment was palpable; some children began to cry from fatigue and unfulfilled expectations. The mood on the steps of the cathedral shifted from hopeful anticipation to bewildered amusement.

The episode illustrates how a simple gesture on social media by a world‑renowned star can reshape a local event, turning a hopeful gathering into a bewildering hoax.