Jan 21, -- The football player Cristiano Ronaldo received one of his nation's most prestigious awards the ''Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry'', granted by Portugal President, Anibal Cavaco Silva.

The forward footballer, recently winner of FIFA 2013 Ballon D'Or, was awarded in Belem's presidential palace, in a ceremony broadcast by several television channels, where the Portuguese president highlighted that Ronaldo's extraordinary talent has contributed to enhance Portugal's visibility in the world.

Ronaldo attended the ceremony accompanied by his family and Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez in which he said that representing his Portugal worldwide represents a great pride, and the distinction is a complementary motivation to keep on working and representing his country to the highest level. "Mi goal is to win individual and collective trophies. I want to be part of the history of football", added the star athlete, who will turn 29 years old next month.

The title was created in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator disappearance, one of the prime drivers of Portugal's colonial expansion.