Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Portugal’s player of the year for 2016 after leading his country to their first major title at the European Championship last summer.
The Real Madrid star beat club teammate Pepe and Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio to the prize.
The 32-year-old forward also led Real to their 11th Champions League triumph last May, converting the winning penalty to secure the title ahead of city rival Atletico Madrid. He finished as the competition’s top scorer with 16 goals.
Although Ronaldo was injured early in the Euro 2016 final against hosts France, Portugal pushed on to win the game in extra-time, marking the national team’s greatest-ever triumph at the Stade de France last July.
“It was a very special year for me because the Euros was the only trophy I was still missing,” Ronaldo said at the Quinas de Ouro gala on Monday.
“I want to thank the Portuguese people again, they gave us confidence on our way to the title.”
Other award-winners on the night included Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches, who won the best young player award. While national team manager Fernando Santos was named coach of the year.
