The captain of the ‘quinas’ national team has been honored with the platinum quinas award and highlighted as an ambassador of excellence for Portugal. During the ceremony, former international Pepe was honoured, and Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were asked to take care of Portuguese Football.
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo received the platinum quinas award on Monday at the Quinas de Ouro gala, recognized as an ambassador of excellence for Portugal after accumulating over 200 international caps for the senior national team.
The event, organized by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) in partnership with the Professional Footballers’ Union (SJPF) and the National Association of Football Coaches (ANTF), was attended by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and FPF President Fernando Gomes, who praised the national team’s captain as Portugal’s ambassador of excellence.
“The most prestigious trophy is the platinum quinas, and if there is an ambassador of Portugal who deserves it, it is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo. Over 20 years serving the Portuguese national team. If there is someone who has shown love in representing the Portuguese national team, it is Cristiano Ronaldo. An ambassador of excellence who feels the jersey and feels Portugal,” Gomes justified in the auditorium of the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon.
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The 39-year-old forward for Saudi club Al Nassr took to the stage and reflected on his journey since earning his first cap at the age of 18 to reaching the milestone of 200.
“It is a pride to receive this award. I see it as a beginning. Thank you to the FPF for this recognition, it’s been a long journey filled with hard work. At 18, my dream was to earn my first cap. I surpassed 25, 50, and why not 100? A round number, three digits, and then I started thinking about 150, 200, and it’s a great feeling,” Ronaldo began, now boasting 216 caps and 133 goals for the national team.
He also praised Portugal, describing it as “a great country, regardless of its size.”
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“We have everything: magnificent stadiums, excellent coaches, potential in these players, and the stars we have. Not only in football but in other sports as well. Fernando Gomes is the best president we have ever had,” he concluded.
The gala commenced with a tribute to former international Pepe, who hung up his boots in August after a career with the ‘quinas’ (141 caps) and FC Porto, where he captained for many years, accumulating a total of 290 matches for the club.
“Portugal changed my life. I always tried to give my best and repaid all the love from the people. I could honor the principles of Portugal, a humble and hardworking people. I wasn’t perfect, but I did it with all my heart and strength,” he expressed.
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Portuguese internationals Diogo Costa, who finished eighth in the Yashin award for the best goalkeeper in 2024, Rúben Dias (23rd), and Vitinha (27th) in the Ballon d’Or race were also recognized.
The first time he was called, President of the FPF honored Sporting, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting de Braga, and Vitória de Guimarães, five clubs that contributed to nurturing many players, with the club presidents arriving on stage, except for André Villas – Boas, who was represented by club manager Henrique Monteiro.
Jorge Jesus, coach of Saudi club Al Hilal, the Saudi Arabian champions, received an award for the titles won in that Middle Eastern country, where he achieved a record 34 consecutive wins across all competitions.
“This is a special day for me. Special for the award and for seeing people who played a part in my development as a coach and player. Seeing so many players and presidents with whom I’ve worked. I am Portuguese, and I am proud to be Portuguese. I honor the history of Portugal,” he admitted.
From the hands of the best young futsal player in the world, Lúcio Rocha from Benfica, João Matos, 37, received the award for reaching 200 caps for the Portuguese futsal national team.
“I had no idea I was going to receive this award. I ran here, I was called in a hurry. For 23 years, I’ve represented Sporting and never dreamed of winning 41 titles. It has been glorious years, a beautiful story, and 200 caps. I remember the first time I went for training camp, and now I share a room with this best young player in the world. I’m almost double his age,” he admitted.
A moment with three individuals on stage followed, featuring Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Portuguese U21 coach Rui Jorge, who asked both players to take care of Portuguese football.
“He is a demanding person. He likes well-executed work, a coach from whom I learned a lot. The demands and rules are the most important tools he has, preparing well for the future of senior football. I grew a lot in the U21s,” said Bruno Fernandes about the coach, who has led the U21 team for 15 years.
The tribute to the late president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, José Manuel Constantino, was one of the most emotional moments of the 2024 gala, as was the recognition of Olympic and Paralympic medal-winning athletes from Paris 2024.
Also recognized were Carlos Godinho, FPF technical secretary for 40 years, Filipa Patão, coach of Benfica’s women’s team, who was nominated for the coach of the year award, Rúben Amorim, who on Monday moved from Manchester United after four and a half years at Sporting, and Mónica Jorge, FPF director for women’s football.
