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Back to the match: the No. 28’s performance is not over yet. Despite the presence of Brazilian striker ‘Super Mario’ Jardel – last year’s Golden Boot, back on the Sporting team sheet after four months of injury – Cristiano is the playmaker, scoring the opener and taking it to 3-0 with a spectacular header. The only thing that mars the occasion is when Cristiano’s mother Dolores feels faint in the stands. Perhaps it’s the excitement of her son’s performance, but in the end it’s just a scare.

The following day Ronaldo dominates Portugal’s front pages with his ‘monumental' goal. The journalists milk the opportunity to tell his story, from his first street games in the ‘slums’ of Madalena in Santo Antonio. They interview his childhood coaches. They try to get hold of his father. The poor man has only seen the highlights – he followed the match on the radio because Andorinha were playing at the same time. He says that everyone on the island has mentioned his son’s success and they joke that he should see if Sporting will loan him to Andorinha so that they can win something for a change.

Ronaldo dominated Portugal's front pages with his 'monumental' goal ... But it's not just the Portuguese press that are interested in the newcomer's profile - Ronaldo is also making waves across Europe

Jose Dinis maintains that his son is a force of nature who has played ball day and night since he was a little kid. He hopes he will have a great future and will keep maturing as a person as much as a player. He has no desire to be famous simply because he is the No. 28’s father, but he definitely won’t be missing his son’s next match. He’s already bought a plane ticket to see him at Belenenses – his first trip to Lisbon in six years.

It's not just the Portuguese press that are interested in the newcomer’s profile. Ronaldo is also making waves across Europe, thanks to his goals and his name – let’s not forget that the original Ronaldo (Ronaldo Nazario de Lima) is enjoying his umpteenth comeback and has just helped Brazil win the Korea-Japan World Cup on June 30, 2002. He is the tournament top scorer with eight goals. Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport is already talking about the ‘new Ronaldo’ on its front page.

What does the kid from Madeira think about such a comparison? ‘I would never dare to think about it. Real Madrid’s Ronaldo is a superstar, he’s the best player in the world. He’s my favourite player.’

Cristiano’s performance in the first team has been outstanding. He has become the fans’ golden boy.