Cristiano Ronaldo was on Monday awarded one of the most prestigious honours in Portugal from the country's President Anibal Cavaco Silva.
The Portugal captain and Real Madrid forward was awarded the Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique, the Order of Prince Henry, in the presidential palace in Lisbon.
Silva paid tribute to "the extraordinary talent of Ronaldo ... who brings prestige to Portugal around the world."
He congratulated Ronaldo for "his talent, discipline and the determination he has always shown ... an example for young generations."
The 28-year-old received an honour that was created in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of one of the most important figures in the Portuguese Empire.
The ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Belem, just outside Lisbon, a week after Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or title for the second time, and the world's top footballer brought his new trophy with him.
The trophy will now go on display in the museum opened last December in Madeira, the Portuguese island from where Ronaldo comes.
"It gives me great pride to represent Portugal in the world," said Ronaldo.
"This distinction is a source of additional motivation to continue to work harder and represent Portugal at the highest level."
Silva had intended to award the honour to "CR7" on January 7 but the cememony was pushed back following the death of Portuguese football legend Eusebio.
Ronaldo, who also own the Ballon d'or in 2008, is the first Portuguese player to receive the award twice. Eusebio won it in 1965 and Luis Figo in 2001.
The former Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United player has played 109 times for Portugal, scoring 47 goals.
Source: AFP
