Cristiano Ronaldo: "2017 has been an incredible year"
The Real Madrid and Portugal star sat down with Diario AS in Madeira, where he grew up, to reflect on another Champions League and Ballon d'Or.
Cristiano Ronaldo bid farewell to 2017, a year in which he has won five titles with Real Madrid and added to his personal trophy collection with another Ballon d’Or. The star sat down with this most recent addition to his mantelpiece, along with his four previous Ballons d’Or, the FIFA World Player prize, four Golden Boots, two ‘The Best’ awards, and three UEFA Player of the Year awards.
Ronaldo posed with his trophies on a hill overlooking Funchal, the capital of Madeira, the island on which he grew up. Cristiano territory.
Cristiano feels 'tremendous' looking back
“2017 has been an incredible year on a lot of levels,” the No.7 explained to Diario AS. “It’s a tremendous feeling to look back and look at what I have achieved, having started off kicking a ball around the streets of Madeira.”
The 32-year-old has made a habit of breaking records, and a few more fell in 2017. By scoring in the Champions League final in Cardiff, Cristiano became the first player to score in three finals. In the 2017-18 edition of the competition, he has already made history by becoming the first player to score in all six group stage matches. He scored a total of 57 goals in 2017.
“I was blessed with talent and I have worked really hard to make the most of it,” said Cristiano, “but I wouldn’t have achieved it without the collaboration of a lot of people who have helped me professionally.”
More followers than any other sportsman
After a summer dominated by rumours linking Cristiano with moves away from Madrid, he made himself comfortable again.
“I want to dedicate this moment to my family, who are always there in the good moments and the bad, and to my friends, without forgetting those who believed in my when I was just a kid full of dreams, my coaches and team-mates, both at my clubs and the national team.”
In his review of a special year, Cristiano did not forget his fans. “A special thank you to them for their support and inspiration to keep on working hard and give my all in every challenge I face."
He is close to reaching 300 million followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; more than any other sportsman in the world.
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