Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal’s most famous ambassador - has been celebrating the win of his 5th Ballon d’Or in Paris, saying he’s actually aiming for a 6th and a 7th.
Joking that he also wants another baby for Christmas - having just welcomed little arrival number 3 for this event-packed year - the footballing sensation who began his career in Madeira said he actually hopes to end up with seven children, too.
While his ‘ego’ is being lauded as “the most profitable in football history”, the truth is that Ronaldo is now on level pegging with Argentine rival, Lionel Messi - also the winner of five ‘Ballons d’Or’.
The difference is that Messi has never said he is hoping for ‘ballon’ six or indeed seven.
With a habit of being attained, Ronaldo’s goals are being taken seriously.
He said at the awards ceremony last Thursday that he hopes to go on playing at his level “for a few more years”.
And there was humility, too. The 32-year-old athlete said he wanted to thank his colleagues at Real Madrid and in the Portuguese national team - and “everyone else” who has helped him this season.
Repeating his desire to end his career with Real Madrid - despite reports to the contrary - he was delighted to receive on stage a tiny babygrow with five golden balls emblazoned across the front of it.
Ronaldo’s latest accolade takes Portugal to the top of the listings of countries with the most number of Ballons d’Or. In the past, Eusébio and Luís Figo were both awarded one each.
So now the wait to see who actually gets next year’s title (decided by 173 journalists throughout the world), while CR7 returns home to Spain and ongoing controversy over the protracted court case into his alleged €14 million in tax evasion.
According to reports, presiding judge Mónica Gómez Ferrer wants to know who was responsible for the scheme that allowed Ronaldo to charge his image rights income via a company in the British Virgin Islands.
As all media reports have stressed, Ronaldo vehemently refutes any intention on his part to avoid paying taxes.
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Article by kind permission of the http://portugalresident.com
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