Monaco: Cristiano Ronaldo beat the two other contenders – Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon – to win the ‘UEFA Player of the Season’ at a glittering function here late Thursday evening. This is the third time that he has won the award. The Portuguese superstar helped Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double.
“There are the same goals every year, to meet the same challenges, win everything if possible, qualify for the World Cup with my national team,” said Ronaldo. “This trophy will give me the motivation to keep working hard, never to give up. I am blessed and delighted to be with Real Madrid,” added the player who had won the award earlier in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016.
Ronaldo became the first player to win the award three times after coming out on top in a poll of 80 Champions League and Europa League coaches, together with 55 journalists, representing each of UEFA’s member associations. He received 482 points, with Messi (141) and Buffon (109) finishing second and third respectively.
“I’m so glad to be here, and honoured to win this trophy again,” Ronaldo said. “Thank you to my teammates and congratulations to them too. I’m so blessed – thanks also to the supporters of Real Madrid, and everyone who helped me to achieve this.”
After picking up the UEFA award, Ronaldo was asked by reporters to name the possible successors to his throne. “A very good question. I see some with great potential: Marco Asensio, Kyline Mbappe, Neymar and Marcus Rashford… and some others. In the next generation there are at least 10 players with very, very great potential,” stated the Real Madrid superstar.
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