But, while saying it is a “privilege” to be nominated, Ronaldo insisted team honours are more important than individual accolades. “I’m positive we are going to win again”.
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“I was very happy and very proud [to be nominated]”, he told World Soccer.
Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo was declared FA’s 2015-16 Best Player in Europe on Thursday ahead of team-mate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.
The victor was chosen after the 2016/2017 Champions League Group Stage draw.
European football’s governing body whittled a shortlist of 10 down to Real Madrid duo Gareth Bale and Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann. Ronaldo and his club and country beat Griezmann in both the UCL final and the Euro final this summer.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo would like to play another decade for Los Blancos and retire at the age of 41. The other player in the fray to be crowned as the best player in Europe alongside Griezmann and Ronaldo is Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team mate and Welsh worldwide Gareth Bale.
“To be honest I didn’t think Portugal could win the Euro”.
“We were able to win the Champions League, on a personal level I was the top scorer in the Champions League en route to us winning it, so it was possibly one of the best years of my career”.
The 31-year-old Portuguese winger also had his sixth consecutive 50 or more goals season but was particularly quick to heap praise on Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane.
The award was chosen after journalists from UEFA’s 55 member associations were asked for their own five choices as the best player in the continent last season.
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“(Antoine) Griezmann – sorry you lost the final, (European Championship), Gareth (Bale), semi-finals, sorry for Portugal but I think you deserve it too because you’re an incredible player and you did an unbelievable season”.
