PHOTOS: Portugal honour Cristiano Ronaldo with #QuinasDeOuro2024 award

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s iconic footballer and record-breaking scorer, was honoured Monday night with the prestigious Platinum Quinas trophy at the Quinas de Ouro ceremony, an annual event that celebrates the best in Portuguese football.

Awarded by the Portuguese Football Federation, the Platinum Quinas trophy is the highest accolade in Portuguese football, recognising Ronaldo’s exceptional career and enduring legacy as a symbol of Portugal on the international stage.

This year’s gala saw prominent attendees, including Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and FPF President Fernando Gomes.

Reflecting on his journey with the national team, Ronaldo recalled his debut at 18 and his milestones since.

“It is an honour to receive this trophy. I see it as a beginning. Thank you to the FPF for this award, marking a long journey filled with hard work,” Ronaldo shared on X on Tuesday afternoon, noting his journey to 216 caps and 133 goals.

He humorously commented on his ongoing ambitions: “I can’t wait to see what my legs have to offer me in the next few years. If the 1000th goal comes, that’s fine… but if it doesn’t happen, I’m already the top scorer in history.”

Posing with the award, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude in Portuguese, saying, “É um orgulho receber este prémio pela minha carreira na Seleção. Ainda há muito por conquistar! Obrigado, @selecaoportugal!” (“It is an honor to receive this award for my career with the National Team. There is still a lot to achieve! Thank you, @selecaoportugal”).

The 39-year-old Al-Nassr player and international goal-scoring leader, who famously led Portugal to victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League, received the award as an exemplary ambassador of Portuguese football.

“We have everything: magnificent stadiums, excellent coaches, potential in these players, and the stars we have. Not only in football but in other sports as well. Fernando Gomes is the best president we have ever had,” CR7 concluded.

The Quinas de Ouro gala also honors players, coaches, and others across various roles in Portuguese football, with categories such as Player of the Year and Coach of the Year celebrating remarkable contributions to the sport.

During the ceremony, former international Pepe was honored, and Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were asked to take care of Portuguese football.

The gala commenced with a tribute to former international Pepe, who hung up his boots in August after a career with the ‘quinas’ (141 caps) and FC , where he captained for many years, accumulating a total of 290 matches for the club.

“Portugal changed my life. I always tried to give my best and repaid all the love from the people. I could honor the principles of Portugal, a humble and hardworking people. I wasn’t perfect, but I did it with all my heart and strength,” he expressed.

Portuguese internationals Diogo Costa, who finished eighth in the Yashin award for the best goalkeeper in 2024, Rúben Dias (23rd), and Vitinha (27th) in the Ballon d’Or race were also recognised.

On his first time being called, FPF President honored Sporting, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting de Braga, and Vitória de Guimarães, five clubs that have contributed to nurturing many players, with the club presidents coming to the stage, except for André Villas-Boas, who was represented by club manager Henrique Monteiro.

Jorge Jesus, coach of Saudi club Al Hilal, the Saudi Arabian champions, received an award for the titles won in that Middle Eastern country, where he achieved a record 34 consecutive wins across all competitions.

“This is a special day for me. Special for the award and for seeing people who played a part in my development as a coach and player. Seeing so many players and presidents with whom I’ve worked. I am Portuguese, and I am proud to be Portuguese. I honor the history of Portugal,” he admitted.

From the hands of the best young futsal player in the world, Lúcio Rocha from Benfica, João Matos, 37, received the award for reaching 200 caps for the Portuguese futsal national team.

“I had no idea I was going to receive this award. I ran here, I was called in a hurry. For 23 years, I’ve represented Sporting and never dreamed of winning 41 titles. It has been glorious years, a beautiful story, and 200 caps. I remember the first time I went for training camp, and now I share a room with this best young player in the world. I’m almost double his age,” he admitted.

A moment with three individuals on stage followed, featuring Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Portuguese U21 coach Rui Jorge, who asked both players to take care of Portuguese football.

“He is a demanding person. He likes well-executed work, a coach from whom I learned a lot. The demands and rules are the most important tools he has, preparing well for the future of senior football. I grew a lot in the U21s,” said Bruno Fernandes about the coach, who has led the U21 team for 15 years.

The tribute to the late president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, José Manuel Constantino, was one of the most emotional moments of the 2024 gala, as was the recognition of Olympic and Paralympic medal-winning athletes from Paris 2024, Footboom reported.

Also recognised were Carlos Godinho, FPF technical secretary for 40 years, Filipa Patão, coach of Benfica’s women’s team, who was nominated for the coach of the year award, Rúben Amorim, who on Monday moved from Manchester United after four and a half years at Sporting, and Mónica Jorge, FPF director for women’s football.