Cristiano Ronaldo receives knighthood in Portugal
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Exactly a week after winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo received one of Portugal's highest honours from the country's President.
The Real Madrid forward was named Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry by Portugal's Head of State, Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
The ceremony at the Belém National Palace in Lisbon was attended by members of Ronaldo's family, Portuguese government officials and Spanish diplomats, as well as Madrid President Florentino Pérez and Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
The Order of Prince Henry is a Portuguese form of knighthood, with Grand Officer being the third-most-senior rank of the title, behind the Grand Cross and Grand Collar.
It is given in relation to the expansion of Portuguese culture, which Ronaldo has certainly helped promote over the last decade.
Ronaldo has made 109 national team appearances and is joint leading scorer alongside the retired Pauleta with 47 goals.
"I feel incredibly proud to receive this honour," Ronaldo said after receiving his award.
"It is additional motivation for me to continue working even harder so that I can represent Portugal at the highest level.
"I hope to continue achieving success on an individual and collective level. I am very, very happy."
Originally, Ronaldo was to receive the award on 7 January but the event was pushed back like online roulette following the death of Portuguese football legend Eusébio.
The 28-year-old added: "This is my life, my profession, my passion. I want to continue playing for many more years to come.
"It is a real privilege to represent Portugal, at the highest level, in other countries. I am extremely happy and only wish to continue reaping more successes, both individual and collective, until the end of my career."
The ex-Manchester United ace becomes just the fourth Portuguese sports personality to win the accolade after Carlos Lopes, Aurora Cunha, and José Mourinho.
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| Cristiano Ronaldo poses after he was decorated with the award of the Order of Prince Henry
Photo: Reuters |
The Real Madrid forward was named Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry by Portugal's Head of State, Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
The ceremony at the Belém National Palace in Lisbon was attended by members of Ronaldo's family, Portuguese government officials and Spanish diplomats, as well as Madrid President Florentino Pérez and Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
The Order of Prince Henry is a Portuguese form of knighthood, with Grand Officer being the third-most-senior rank of the title, behind the Grand Cross and Grand Collar.
It is given in relation to the expansion of Portuguese culture, which Ronaldo has certainly helped promote over the last decade.
Ronaldo has made 109 national team appearances and is joint leading scorer alongside the retired Pauleta with 47 goals.
"I feel incredibly proud to receive this honour," Ronaldo said after receiving his award.
"It is additional motivation for me to continue working even harder so that I can represent Portugal at the highest level.
"I hope to continue achieving success on an individual and collective level. I am very, very happy."
Originally, Ronaldo was to receive the award on 7 January but the event was pushed back like online roulette following the death of Portuguese football legend Eusébio.
The 28-year-old added: "This is my life, my profession, my passion. I want to continue playing for many more years to come.
"It is a real privilege to represent Portugal, at the highest level, in other countries. I am extremely happy and only wish to continue reaping more successes, both individual and collective, until the end of my career."
The ex-Manchester United ace becomes just the fourth Portuguese sports personality to win the accolade after Carlos Lopes, Aurora Cunha, and José Mourinho.
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