Cristiano Ronaldo – the name that has become an eternal symbol of world football – has just been awarded the “Globo de Prestígio” by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), a special award to honor his extraordinary contributions during his 22 years with the national team.
The event held in Lisbon moved millions of fans, but also brought sadness when Ronaldo officially confirmed that he would soon retire – something many people still tried to avoid believing was true.
In an emotional speech, Ronaldo said:
“I know that every journey has an end. I have lived football, with this shirt, and now I feel the fire inside me is gradually fading.”
The words were a small but profound blow to fans around the world who have accompanied him for two decades, from the moment he burst into tears at EURO 2004 to the moment he lifted the EURO 2016 trophy.
Ronaldo, now 40, is still playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, maintaining an impressive form that few people at his age can achieve. However, according to many sources close to him, he has begun to feel “tired” both physically and mentally. Although he still maintains a strict training regime, Ronaldo admits that maintaining peak form is “not as easy as before”.
In 22 years of dedication to the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo has scored more than 120 goals, becoming the player with the most goals in the history of international football – a record that is likely to be broken for a long time. But for him, the proudest thing is not the numbers, but the endless love for the red and blue flag of his homeland. “I have lived for Portugal, and I will always live with that pride, even when I am no longer on the pitch,” he added.
The “Globo de Prestígio” award is seen as the country’s gratitude to its greatest son – the one who brought Portugal’s name to every major stadium in the world. The FPF President shared: “Cristiano is not just a player, but a legacy. He has changed the way the world sees Portuguese football.”
However, the news that Ronaldo will soon retire has shaken the global football community. Many fans expressed their regret: “A part of our childhood is about to end.” Meanwhile, other football legends such as Messi, Neymar or Mbappé all sent their congratulations and gratitude to the senior they called “endless inspiration”.
Perhaps what made Ronaldo come to this decision was not only his age, but also the feeling that he had completed his mission. After two decades of relentless fighting, conquering every peak and shouldering national pride, now, perhaps he just wants to spend time with his family – with Georgina and his children, who have always stood behind him to cheer him on every journey.
Although we know that day will come, the world is not ready to say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo – the man who redefined the meaning of perseverance, passion and the desire to reach perfection.
The fire inside him may be slowly dying out, but the light that Ronaldo left for world football will shine forever.
A legendary chapter is about to close – and the whole world will watch, cherishing every last moment of CR7, the man who turned every football field into a legend.
