Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance in Portuguese football continues, as the superstar has been named his country’s Player of the Year for a record 10th time. Showing no signs to slow down even at 34, he is still an iconic figure in world football and remains the standout performer in his homeland over the last decade. Only Simao and Pepe have pipped Ronaldo to the prestigious award, across the last 12 years.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was a nominee for the latest award along with City’s Bernardo Silva, Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, and Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Neves the midfield duo from Sporting and Wolves respectively. However, Ronaldo clinched the honour following his Serie A title with Juventus and the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal.
While accepting his award, Ronaldo said: “This world is so fast, with the social media, the press, it’s been wild. It’s been an extremely complicated year on a personal level. Don’t let anyone pull you down.”
Portuguese Footballer of the Year for a tenth time 🇵🇹👌
Will @Cristiano be crowned #TheBest on 23 September? 👑 pic.twitter.com/QDMv4nn9Ii
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) September 3, 2019
The former Real Madrid winger took his talismanic presence to Turin from Madrid, netting 28 times with 10 assists for his new side in 2018-19, as he looks forward for another achievement in a long-running battle with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi for global dominance. The greatest players of this generation have been nominated once again for the 2019 FIFA Best Award and Ballon d’Or along with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who already has bagged UEFA’s Player of the Year trophy.
[Credit TW/@FIFAcom]
