CRISTIANO RONALDO was named Player of the Century at a glamorous bash in Dubai.
The Juventus superstar walked the red carpet with fiancee Georgina Rodriguez before he was awarded the top gong at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez arrived at Dubai Globe Soccer AwardsCredit: Reuters
Ronaldo won the Player of the Century award Credit: Reuters
Ian Rush pictured with his Irish singer and model fiancee Carol AnthonyCredit: Reuters
The ceremony was held at the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Ronaldo wore a dapper grey suit with a red tie, matching his partner’s sparkly red dress.
The Juventus forward was joined by fellow football stars of the past and present.
Liverpool legend Ian Rush, 59, was pictured with his Irish singer and model fiancee Carol Anthony, 43.
Gerard Pique, 33, and Robert Lewandowski, 32, were all smiles as they arrived at the ceremony.
Even former boxing world champion Amir Khan, 34, was a guest alongside his wife Faryal Makhdoom, 29.
Bayern Munich forward Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award – despite the vote initially going to Ronaldo.
Voting is open to the public and such is Ronaldo’s popularity, he topped the poll.
Amir Khan alongside his wife Faryal MakhdoomCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But according to Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the 35-year-old and his agent Jorge Mendes admitted the decision was unfair.
And they are said to have instead insisted that Lewandowski be handed the award.
But Ronaldo did pip long-time rival Lionel Messi, 33, and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho as the Player of the Century.
After winning the award, he said: “For 20 consecutive years I have played and scored as a professional, I didn’t know there was another record to beat.
“It’s a pleasure to hear about the records, I have achieved all this but without my team-mates, without a great team, I would not have achieved these records.”
Globe Soccer Awards
- Player of the Year – Robert Lewandowski
- Club of the Year – Bayern Munich
- Coach of the Year – Hans-Dieter Flick
- Player of the Century – Cristiano Ronaldo
- Club of the Century – Real Madrid
- Coach of the Century – Pep Guardiola
- Agent of the Century – Jorge Mendes
- Player Career Award – Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas
Ronaldo, who wants to play at the highest level until he is 40, revealed he has no plans of slowing down.
He said: “It is an exceptional achievement. It gives me the motivation to move forward.
“To be named the best is a great honour, I hope that this situation is over next year and that we can have more fun, thank you very much.
“I hope to still be able to play for more years. “
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique at the award Credit: Reuters
Robert Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award Credit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
