After becoming the highest scorer in international football, the Portuguese hero was honoured by the governing body.
Cristiano Ronaldo described winning the FIFA Special Best Award on Monday as a “tremendous honour.”
As reported by the FIFA’s official website, the trophy was presented to the Portugal great in honour of him becoming the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football.
When Ronaldo scored his 110th goal for his country in September, he beat the record set by former Iran great Ali Daei. Since then, he’s amassed a total of 115.
During The Best Awards ceremony in Zurich, FIFA revealed the unique award for the 36-year-old, and the attacker deserved every bit of it.
🏆✨ Cristiano Ronaldo is the recipient of #TheBest FIFA Special Award!
🇵🇹 Legend. Winner. Goalscoring machine. @Cristiano. pic.twitter.com/ZnzGMJKCEk
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 17, 2022
After receiving the award on stage, the legendary goalscorer said:
“[It’s] very beautiful. It was a dream. I never thought about beating that record, of scoring 115. The record was 109, right? So I’m six ahead. I’m so proud [to receive] a Special Award from FIFA, an organisation that I respect a lot.”
“I’m very happy. It’s a special award for me to be the best goalscorer ever. It’s a great achievement. I’m so proud. I never thought that one day I would be the number one. It’s a great honour for me.”
“It’s great to be the [record] goalscorer of all time. “I have to say thank you to my old teammates from 2004, when I started to play for the national team, until now. And, of course, I have to say thank you to my family: my wife, my kids.”
🇵🇹 @Cristiano (115 goals)
🇮🇷 Ali Daei (109)
🇲🇾 Dahari (89)
🇭🇺 Puskas (84)
🇦🇷 Messi (80)🎩 @Cristiano's 10th hat-trick for @selecaoportugal powers him on to 54 goals in his last 49 caps and further clear as the highest-scoring male in international football history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/16rPrCQQ6V
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 12, 2021
