Cristinao Ronaldo’s unquestionable talent supplies countless honours for the player, and none are as special as those bestowed upon him by his home country. The Portuguese sports press has named him the best Portuguese Player Outside Portugal.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is part of  Portugal,” says Antonio Florencio, President of the Portuguese Sports Journalists Association, “It is impossible to understand this country without him. Along with Figo [who also played for Real Madrid] and Eusebio [who has always professed his admiration for the team] he is one of the most important players. Ronaldo is different in that he made a great impact when he was very young and he has already won the Ballon d’Or. He is the captain of the national team and has been capped 70 times. He still has a lot to say, especially now that he plays for Real Madrid.”

This is the third time Ronaldo wins the award. “It is a great privilege to win this a third time,” said Cristiano, “I am extremely grateful.”

The Portuguese Sports Journalists Association was established in 1966. This year, they have also honoured Oporto’s Bruno Alves as the Best Portuguese Player in Portugal, Jose Mourinho as the Best Portuguese Coach Outside Portugal, Jesualdo Ferreira as the Best Portuguese Coach in Portugal and Oporto’s Hulk as the Best Newcomer in Portugal.