Cristiano: "I play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world..."
The Portuguese player, named as UEFA's Player of the Year in Monaco this evening, seemed happy with his current situation at club level.
Cristiano Ronaldo picked up UEFA's Player of the Year award for the third time at this evening's gala in Monaco and broke his silence about his situation at Real Madrid, after a unsettling summer for the famous front cover of A Bola in which he stated he wanted to leave Spain.
Special goal against Juventus
When asked which of the 100 goals scored in the Champions League was the most special to him, Cristiano replied, jokingly, "The last one, against that old man", in reference to Gianluigi Buffon, who was sat next to him at the Grimaldi Forum this evening.
In contrast to how he was feeling back in June, Cristiano appears to have changed his mind abour quitting Real Madrid. "It's incredible to reach 100 goals in the Champions League; for me it's a dream. I play at Real Madrid, the best club in the world and I have the opportunity to continually play at the highest level and enjoy... I feel very fortunate and happy to be here again for another year".
Pay rise claims refuted by Mendes
His words came just a few hours after Spanish broadcaster La Sexta claimed on their Jugones programme that Cristiano requested a pay rise which will make him the best paid footballer on the planet ahead of Messi and Neymar - a plea which was rejected by Real Madrid. Those reports were claimed to be false by Jorge Mendes when AS contacted the agent today.
Cristiano thanks team mates and the fans
Before leaving the stage clutching his award, Cristiano added: "Every year it's the same, the challenge to win everything, if it's possible, at Madrid and with Portugal. I have to thank my team mates with my club and the national team, who motivate me to keep workibng hard. And also the fans at Real Madrid - all of them have helped me win this trophy".
