Ronaldo: Nothing without my teams

Cristiano Ronaldo insists “if Real Madrid and Portugal didn’t win anything, I couldn’t win this award” after claiming his fourth Ballon d’Or on Monday.

Ronaldo shook off competition from La Liga rivals Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to win the fourth Ballon d’Or of his career and the second in its guise as the France Football award, and the attacker made it clear his triumph would not be possible without winning the Champions League and Euro 2016.

“It was an unforgettable year, possibly the best of my career on both a collective and individual level,” he said upon being presented with the accolade, Marca reports.

“To achieve something with Portugal was one of the most important moments of my life, without forgetting the Champions League that I won with Real Madrid, in which I was the top goalscorer, plus I was crowned the best scorer in Europe.

“Real Madrid are used to winning the Champions League, they have 11, but Portugal had never won a major trophy.

“I must respect the Champions League, which is an impressive trophy, but I appreciate more the trophy I won with Portugal, which was a step higher.

“When I win a prize of this importance, I say ‘Cristiano, it was worth working so hard during year, doing things that you didn’t do before …’

“I can’t express what I feel, but I feel joy because I worked hard.

“This is for the people that have faith in me, my teammates, my family, the people who work for me, help me to improve and maintain my level year after year.

“You can count on the fingers of one hand the players who maintain their level year after year, there’s very few of them. I’m one of them, and it fills me with pride.

“It’s always a different emotion, but it doesn’t mean that the feeling isn’t the same. The first one was a joy, a dream come true.

“I was 23 or 24 years and it was a unique moment in my life. What I feel today is similar to 2008.

“It’s my job, my profession and I really sacrifice myself. When you win something, it’s important that I put the team first. If Real Madrid and Portugal didn’t win anything, I couldn’t win this award.

“Real Madrid are the club of my heart and winning it with them is very similar to when I won it with Manchester United.

“With 11 European cups, two of which I’ve won, it’s a perfect scenario.”

Tags Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo
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