Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Special Recognition At The Best awards
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been recognised for his remarkable career achievements at The FIFA Best Awards of 2021.
The 36-year-old broke the all-time record for men’s international goals when he scored a brace for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland, taking his tally to 115.
His special award is the first to be handed out at the FIFA Best awards and it couldn’t go to a more deserving player.
“First of all I have to say thank you to my teammates, especially the national team during the last 2020 years,” Ronaldo said on stage in Zurich, where the event was held.
“I never thought [I would beat] the record, to score 115 – the record was 109, right? So, six goals ahead. I’m so proud for this special award from FIFA, an organisation I respect a lot.”
🏆✨ Cristiano Ronaldo is the recipient of #TheBest FIFA Special Award!
🇵🇹 Legend. Winner. Goalscoring machine. @Cristiano. pic.twitter.com/ZnzGMJKCEk
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 17, 2022
Not on The Best shortlist
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was omitted from the shortlist for the overall individual award which was eventually won by Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Despite this though, there was a place in the 2021 team of the year for Ronaldo although Mohamed Salah, who came third in the votes for the individual award, was not selected in the team.
As well as his 115 strikes for Portugal, he has banged in a further 687 goals which takes his tally in total to an unbeatable 802 for club and country.
Those clubs goals came for the likes of Sporting CP, Manchester United (two spells), Real Madrid and Juventus where he has won trophies at each club, and lots of them.
Ronaldo has been absent in Manchester United’s last two games, both against Aston Villa as the Red Devils advanced in the FA Cup at Old Trafford before being pegged back to a draw at Villa Park.
