Cristiano Ronaldo said his passion for the game remains undimmed and that he is still motivated to reach his target of 1,000 career goals after the Portuguese forward was named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday.
Ronaldo’s double for Saudi side Al-Nassr on Saturday took his tally to 956 goals for club and country, and with the 40-year-old set to play on for “one or two more years” his target looks achievable.
“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he said after receiving the award for the second consecutive year. “My passion is high, and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.”
“You know what
my goal is. I want to win trophies, and I want to reach that number (1,000 goals) that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”
The award ceremony was attended by some of the biggest sports stars including Novak Djokovic, Paul Pogba, Lamine Yamal among others.
Ronaldo himself presented Globe Sports Award to the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic who became its first ever recipient.
Praising the Serbian, Ronaldo said, “For me, he is an example of longevity. We have a similar story. He deserves this because he is an example for the past generation, the current one and the next.”
A grateful Djokovic noted Ronaldo’s determination to continue performing at the top level despite winning nearly everything football has to offer.
“I’m very grateful to hear these words from him and to call him my friend. You see someone who has won everything, and yet still wants more. Even though we are in different sports, we can support each other and show future generations that there are no limits,” Djokovic said.
