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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Lionel Messi, Football
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Lionel Messi, Football
Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his gratitude to those who have played a part in his journey after the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward was handed the "Best of All Time" award.
Earlier this week, the third edition of the Liga Portugal Awards took place in Porto, a ceremony that celebrated the achievements of several figures in the football world.
The gala paid tribute to Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, the former president of FC Porto, while experienced defender Pepe received a Liga Portugal Award for his contribution to the game in Portugal.
Pepe's former Los Blancos teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was also honoured as the "best player of all time" by organisers.
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"There are countless adjectives to describe Cristiano Ronaldo," said a representative from Liga Portugal.
"The Portuguese captain's career, stats, and titles speak for themselves, a record-breaking career spanning more than two decades as a professional, and one that promises to continue."
They added: "An inescapable figure in sports and an idol to millions, he defined an era and will leave an indelible mark on world football."
After being recognised for "the golden pages he continues to write in his career", Ronaldo reacted with a message of his own.
Speaking in a video posted on Instagram, he said: "I want to thank Liga Portugal for the Best of All Time award. As you can imagine, it's a huge honor for me to win something for my country.
"I'd like to thank all my teammates who helped me throughout my career win this wonderful trophy."
Ronaldo added: "I'd also like to thank all the coaches and everyone who helped me on this journey to always be better. So, thank you all very much, and enjoy."
Liga Portugal explained their decision to honour Ronaldo further. "Recognized for his work ethic, competitiveness, and decisiveness in crucial moments, Cristiano Ronaldo's impact goes far beyond statistics," they said.
"Between individual records, collective titles, and media influence, he built a legacy that places him as... The Best Ever."