Cristiano Ronaldo says he is proud to have been voted into the FIFA World XI for the eighth consecutive year.
The Portuguese received the accolade in Zurich on Monday, where he also picked up the Ballon d'Or award for 2014, and in an extensive interview with FIFA.com admitted that his strong point is the desire to always be the best.
“To be honest I didn’t think I’d be at the top so many years. It’s all happened so fast,” disclosed the Real Madrid star.
“In my opinion the hardest thing is to maintain that level. I’m proud to have been in the World XI for eight successive years and always to competing to be among the best three, as few people have managed to do it.
“I think it’s just Lionel Messi and I have done it, not many more players anyhow. I don’t think anyone has done it eight years in a row, which is why it’s immensely satisfying.
“I keep working hard every year with my club and national team so I continue to stand out. That’s a sign things are going well and I’m enjoying an exceptional career.
“There’s no secret as it’s a matter of always being willing to learn and each season is a new challenge to face up to. Each new campaign is different and you have to forget what’s already happened.
“I tell myself I have years still left to play, although the better things are now the better they will be in the future. That’s how I think and I believe my strong point, psychologically, is a willingness to improve.
“Maybe that explains why I’ve been at a very high level for so long. Of course, work comes into it, as I always say, but it’s the desire to be the best,” he admitted.
