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Why hit Cristiano Ronaldo so close to home at a time like this?

Many are asking that question in the aftermath of some high-profile, soccer-related vandalism.

Vandals painted Lionel Messi's name and number in red on the back of the bronze statue of Ronaldo, which stands in Funchal, Madeira -- the city on the Portuguese island on which he was born and raised. The perpetrators defaced the Ronaldo statue Tuesday night -- one day after Messi beat Funchal's favorite son to win the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or Award.

Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveira blasted the vandalism, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

"This is a disgraceful act of vandalism in itself but just shows the levels of jealousy that exist," Aveiro said, according to AS. "As a Portuguese citizen it embarrasses and saddens me. This island is clearly still inhabited by savages who have no respect and don't know how to live in a respectable society."

AS reports efforts to clean the paint off Ronaldo's statue are underway.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@LeBuzzEurosport