Ronaldo Dedicates Golden Boot Award To Team Mates, Madrid Fans

Cristiano Ronaldo has dedicated the Golden Boot award to his Real Madrid teammates and teeming fans of the Spainish club around the world.

Ronaldo is the second Real Madrid player to win the Golden Boot award, presented to the top striker in all European leagues.

Hugo Sanchez was the first back in the 1989/90 season.

Cristiano earned the accolade by breaking the latter’s record with his 40 strikes in the 2010/11 edition of La Liga.

This is also Cristiano’s second Golden Boot award; he previously won it in 2008 as a Manchester United player.

The Portuguese star said after he was presented with the award Friday afternoon: “I want to dedicate this Golden Boot award to Real Madrid fans and to my teammates.

“This is a very important moment in my career because I never thought I’d have the numbers I’ve gotten on this team; I’m very happy.”

Realmadrid.com reports that Ronaldo received the Golden Boot award from two of the greatest players of all time: Real Madrid Honourary President Alfredo di Stefano and Eusebio.

“I’m sitting here next to two football geniuses and it gives me great pleasure. It’s obvious I want to be amongst the great players in football history. I’m young and still learning. I’m at a club that gives me the opportunity to grow as a player. I now wish to savour this Golden Boot. I’m very happy. This is a very important moment in my career because I never thought I’d have the numbers I’ve gotten on this team. I wish to dedicate this to the fans and to my team mates,” he said.

The former Man United player said winning Champions League and the La Liga crown are other ultimate ambition he is looking forward to in Real Madrid.

“I’d nevertheless swap this award for a Champions League or La Liga title. I want to win more important collective titles at Real Madrid. We’re having a good run and I’m convinced this will be our year. I only think on a collective level. I’m not concerned about breaking my own record. This team are more mature and its history doesn’t allow it to fail to win important things another year. Individual accolades are a beautiful thing, but they’re not what matters most.”

Speaking on his manager, Jose Mourinho, he said, the ‘Special One’ “is doing great at Real Madrid and I hope he stays with us many years. My former coach, Alex Ferguson was important in my career and part of my success is thanks to him. He is a great person and a great manager. He is one of the most important people in my life in football.”

On his dream for his national team, Ronaldo said: “Portugal have a great team and we must take things slowly. We must first qualify for the Euro 2012 and I hope to win something with the national team some day.”