The Real Madrid superstar has seen his nickname lent to a new discovery in the skies, believed to be the brightest object found in the early universe

Those who think Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo 's talent is out of this world might now argue the point with even greater conviction after a new galaxy was named 'CR7'.
Astronomers working at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have found what they say is the brightest galaxy yet discovered in the early universe.

They have named it 'Cosmic Redshift 7' - abbreviated to 'CR7' - as a means of measuring the celestial body's place along the timescale of the universe.

"Astronomers using ESO's Very Large Telescope have discovered by far the brightest galaxy yet found in the early Universe and found strong evidence that examples of the first generation of stars lurk within it," the group explained.

"These massive, brilliant, and previously purely theoretical objects were the creators of the first heavy elements in history - the elements necessary to forge the stars around us today, the planets that orbit them, and life as we know it.

"The newly found galaxy, labelled CR7, is three times brighter than the brightest distant galaxy known up to now."
The discovery came after a new expansive study of the skies - aimed at discovering ancient stars known as Population III stars, which were formed very early after the Big Bang - and it is hoped CR7 will help scientists understand how early elements came into being.

The astronomers' choice of the nickname that has commonly been associated with Ronaldo - combining his initials and his squad number at Manchester United and Madrid - is believed to be a coincidence.

But Ronaldo supporters might still claim the move puts their idol one up on rival Lionel Messi, who has had newborn babies and streets named after him in his native Argentina but not, as yet, any celestial bodies.