Star footballer of Portugal and Juventus Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the ‘Player of the Century’ title at the Globe Soccer Awards on Sunday. He received this award for his outstanding performances from 2001 to 2020 in league and international football. He won the award leaving beating behind the much celebrated Argentina and Barcelona star striker Leonel Messi. At the same time, Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich was awarded the Player of the Year title at this award ceremony.
Also read: 10 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Cristiano Ronaldo
Soccer Player of the Century
This is the second award this year that Ronaldo wins, a 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, in this ceremony held in Dubai. Earlier, he also won the Golden Foot Award in December. The Golden Foot Award is given to players 28 years of age or older only once in their entire career. Ronaldo also congratulated Lewandowski after winning the trophy.
Guardiola became coach of the century
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was awarded the ‘Coach of the Century Award’. Prior to City, he has also coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich. His coaching team Barcelona also won the UEFA Champions League in 2009. In 2009, Barcelona won 6 trophies including the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Guardiola has also won FIFA Best Coach (2011), UEFA Best Coach (2009, 2011) and La Liga Best Coach (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).
Club of the Century and Agent of the century
Cristiano’s agent George Mendis received the ‘Agent of the Century Award’. At the same time, Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid was awarded the ‘Club of the Century’ Award. Real Madrid have won the UEFA Champions League title 5 times in 20 years and 7 La Liga titles.
Best Player of the year
At the same time, Lewandowski, who won the FIFA Best Player Award this year, won the Globe Soccer Player of the Year Award. The 32-year-old Lewandowski has scored 55 goals in 47 matches in last season. At the same time, he has scored 16 goals in 14 matches this season.
Ronaldo Reaction
Also read: Sport’s events shadowed by COVID-19 are likely to resume soon
Ronaldo completed 750 goals of his career this month. After winning the award, he posted on social media and thanked his fans. Ronaldo said, “Couldn’t be happier with tonight’s award! As I’m about to celebrate my 20th year as a professional footballer, Globe Soccer Player Of The Century is a recognition that I receive with so much joy and pride! Once again, great Gala tonight in Dubai at such an amazing place as Burj Khalifa.
Congratulations to Robert Lewandowski on his Player Of The Year Award, to Hans-Flick as Coach Of The Year and to Pep Guardiola as Coach Of The Century. Also to Casillas and Piqué for their Career Awards, and last but not least, congrats to my friend Jorge Mendes on his Agent Of The Century Award. Finally I must thank, once again, to the Dubai Royal Family for the respect, friendship and hospitality that I always receive in wonderful Dubai, and to all the fans that voted for me in such a huge worldwide online voting with over 21 million votes.”