‘Still with the Same Passion’: Portugal Celebrates Ronaldo’s Two Decades of Glory
Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured by Portugal for his extraordinary two-decade career with the national team, marking over 22 years since his debut. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner received a «Special Recognition» as part of the Portugal Football Globes 2025 awards, celebrating his enduring contribution to the country’s footballing history.
Portugal Honours Its Greatest Player
At the ceremony held on October 7, Ronaldo was presented with the Globe Prestige Award, a distinction reserved for players who have achieved lasting excellence. Now aged 40, the forward remains central to Portugal’s ambitions as they approach key 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary this week.
Expressing his gratitude on social media, Ronaldo wrote:
Orgulhoso por este reconhecimento especial. 22 anos de Seleção e continuo com a mesma paixão. Obrigado a todos os treinadores e companheiros que me ajudaram a chegar até aqui. Obrigado, @selecaoportugal! pic.twitter.com/dfo5fRQ4E2
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 7, 2025
«Proud of this special recognition. 22 years of the National Team and still with the same passion. Thank you to all the coaches and teammates who helped me get here. Thank you, Portugal!»
Since his debut on August 20, 2003 against Kazakhstan, Ronaldo has earned 223 caps, scored 141 goals, and registered 45 assists, all of which are national records. His leadership helped Portugal secure three major titles, including the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League.
Focused on One Final Dream
Despite turning 40 in February 2025 and being rotated at Al Nassr to manage his fitness, Ronaldo remains determined to compete in one final World Cup. During his acceptance speech, he said:
«I have a philosophy of living day by day. No long-term plans. I enjoy each day and each training session. Our goal is to win the next two games and qualify for the World Cup. What happens at the World Cup, we’ll see.»
The veteran forward continues to inspire both teammates and fans, with his sights firmly set on the one major trophy still missing from his illustrious career — the World Cup.
