Cristiano Ronaldo awarded Platinum Quinas trophy at Quinas de Ouro, celebrating his legendary contributions to Portuguese football.

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s legendary footballer and global record-holding scorer, was awarded the prestigious Platinum Quinas trophy at the 2024 Quinas de Ouro gala.

This annual event, organised by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), celebrates outstanding achievements in Portuguese football, with the Platinum Quinas being the federation’s highest honour.

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Ronaldo received this accolade in recognition of his remarkable career, representing Portugal on the world stage and inspiring a generation of fans and players alike.

Held in the presence of high-profile attendees, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and FPF President Fernando Gomes, the ceremony celebrated Ronaldo’s enduring impact on football.

Reflecting on his journey, the 39-year-old star recalled his national team debut at age 18 and acknowledged the achievements that have defined his legacy.

Sharing his gratitude on X, he posted, “It is an honour to receive this trophy. I see it as a beginning. Thank you to the FPF for this award, marking a long journey filled with hard work.

” With 216 caps and 133 goals, he hinted at his ongoing ambitions, jokingly adding, “If the 1000th goal comes, that’s fine… but if it doesn’t happen, I’m already the top scorer in history.”

The award recognises Ronaldo’s stellar international career, which includes Portugal’s first-ever UEFA European Championship win in 2016 and a Nations League victory in 2019.

His acceptance speech, partly in Portuguese, expressed his pride in representing his country, saying, “É um orgulho receber este prémio pela minha carreira na Seleção.

Ainda há muito por conquistar!” (“It is an honour to receive this award for my career with the National Team. There is still a lot to achieve!”).

This year’s Quinas de Ouro gala also paid tribute to other distinguished figures. Former Portugal international Pepe, who retired from international duty in August, was honoured for his service, with heartfelt reflections on his contributions to Portuguese football.

“Portugal changed my life,” he shared, expressing gratitude for the support of fans and the pride he felt representing a “humble and hardworking” nation.

Several other standout players, including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, and Vitinha, received recognitions for their accomplishments and contributions in 2024.

The evening also highlighted contributions from Portuguese clubs, with Sporting, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting de Braga, and Vitória de Guimarães all recognised for their roles in player development.

In addition, coach Jorge Jesus received a special honour for his record-breaking success with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, where he achieved an impressive 34 consecutive wins across competitions.

João Matos, a veteran in Portuguese futsal, was recognised for reaching 200 caps, a milestone he described as a “glorious” part of his 23-year career.

The ceremony’s emotional highlights included tributes to José Manuel Constantino, the late president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, and to the Portuguese Olympic and Paralympic medalists from Paris 2024.

As a celebration of Portuguese football’s best and brightest, the Quinas de Ouro gala underscored the unity and pride within Portuguese sports, while recognising individuals like Ronaldo who continue to inspire on and off the pitch.