Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the platinum “quinas” award, at the Quinas de Ouro gala, for being an ambassador of excellence for Portugal, according to the Portugal News.
At the ceremony promoted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), in partnership with the Professional Football Players Union (SJPF) and the National Football Coaches Association (ANTF), Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was present, alongside the president of the FPF, Fernando Gomes, who highlighted the captain of the Portugal team as an ambassador of excellence for Portugal.
“The most prestigious trophy in the world is the platinum award and if there is a Portuguese ambassador who deserves it, it is, without a shadow of a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo. He has spent more than 20 years serving the Portuguese national team. If there is one person who has shown a love for representing the Portuguese national team, it is Cristiano Ronaldo. An ambassador of excellence who feels his shirt and feels Portugal”, he explained in the auditorium of the Centro Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old striker for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr took to the stage and recalled his journey since winning his first international cap, at the age of 18, until reaching 200 caps.
“I am proud to receive this trophy. I see this as a start. Thank you to FPF for this award, a long journey that I have done with a lot of work. At the age of 18, my dream was to make my first international appearance. I went to 25, 50 and why not 100? A round number, three digits and then I started thinking about 150, 200 and it's a great feeling”, said Ronaldo, who currently has 216 caps and 133 goals for the national team.
He then praised Portugal, “a great country, regardless of size”.
“We have everything: stadiums, magnificent coaches, potential in these players and the stars we have. Not just in football, but in other sports. Fernando Gomes is the best president we've ever had", he concluded.
The gala began with a tribute to former international Pepe, who ended his career in August, after his journey with the team (141 caps) and at FC Porto, which he captained for many years.
“[Portugal] changed my life. I always tried to do my best and tried to repay all the people's affection. I was able to honour the principles of Portugal, a humble and hard-working people. I wasn’t so perfect, but I did it with my heart and with all the strength I had”, he said.
