Real Madrid greats past and present: Di Stefano awards Ronaldo with trophy for La Liga's best player
By JOHN DRAYTON
Cristiano Ronaldo was today awarded the Alfredo Di Stefano trophy for the best player in last season's Liga but refused to confirm if he is to remain with Real Madrid.
The Portugal international was Real's key player when they beat rivals Barcelona to their first league title since 2008 and is seen by many as one of the world's finest players, but with manager Jose Mourinho likely to leave at the season's end and both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain thought to be interested in recruiting him his future remains uncertain.
'Much remains,' said Ronaldo, who did not discuss his future when speaking after being awarded the trophy by Di Stefano himself.
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'We are in the cup final and we have taken a major step in the Champions League.
'The league is difficult but we must fight to the end. Things personally with me are going well but what I want is to win a major trophy with Madrid.
'[But] it is an honour to receive this award from the hands of Alfredo Di Stefano and I want to thank everyone.'
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Writing in his regular column in Spanish newspaper Marca, whose awards ceremony Ronaldo was celebrated in, Di Stefano, meanwhile, spoke of his pleasure at fellow Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s elevation to the papacy.
The 86-year-old Real favourite legend is 10 years older than the pope but recalled his the freedom with which locals would play football during his childhood.
'Pope Francis and I went to the same school in Buenos Aires,' he said. 'He lived in a church two blocks from my family’s house, where my sister Norma still resides.
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'In our neighborhood we used to hold major football sessions that went on until it got dark, with everyone playing against each other,' he said. 'Maybe the pope was one of the guys I played football with in the street.
'At that time I was the famous one because from a very young age I belonged to River Plate’s youth team, everybody knew me,' added Di Stefano, widely regarded as the finest player of his generation for his significant influence in leading Real to five consecutive European Cups, before revealing he had missed the pope's introduction.
Childhood friends? Newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, grew up in the same area as Di Stefano
'I must confess that while everyone else watched the white smoke live, I saw it later. I was, as always, watching a football game.
'[Ronaldo?] He is a great player and a team player. I am very happy.'
THE REAL GREATS: ALFREDO DI STEFANO V CRISTIANO RONALDO
Alfredo Di Stefano
Date of birth: 4 July 1926
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Position: Forward
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Position: Forward
Clubs: River Plate (1945, 1947-49 ), Huracán (1946), Millonarios (1949-52), Real Madrid (1953-64), Espanyol (1964-66).
National Team: 31 matches (23 goals) with Spain; 6 matches (6 goals) with Argentina
National Team: 31 matches (23 goals) with Spain; 6 matches (6 goals) with Argentina
Honours
5 European Cups (Real Madrid, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
1 Intercontinental Cup (Real Madrid, 1960)
1 America cup (River Plate, 1947)
8 Spanish leagues (Real Madrid, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
1 Spanish Cup (Real Madrid, 1962)
2 Argentinian leagues (River Plate, 1945, 1947)
4 Colombian leagues (Millonarios Bogotá, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953)
5 European Cups (Real Madrid, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
1 Intercontinental Cup (Real Madrid, 1960)
1 America cup (River Plate, 1947)
8 Spanish leagues (Real Madrid, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
1 Spanish Cup (Real Madrid, 1962)
2 Argentinian leagues (River Plate, 1945, 1947)
4 Colombian leagues (Millonarios Bogotá, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953)
Cristiano Ronaldo
Date of birth: 4 July 1926
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Position: Forward
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Position: Forward
Clubs: Sporting Lisbon (2001-2003), Manchester United (2003-2009), Real Madrid (2009-present).
National Team: 101 matches (38 goals) with Portugal
National Team: 101 matches (38 goals) with Portugal
Honours
1 European Cup (Manchester United, 2008)
3 Premier Leagues (Manchester United, 2007, 2008, 2009) 1 FA Cup (Manchester United, 2004) 1 League Cup (Manchester United, 2006) 1 Spanish league (Real Madrid, 2012) 1 Spanish Cup (Real Madrid, 2011)
1 Spanish Super Cup (Real Madrid, 2012) 1 Portuguese League (Sporting Lisbon, 2002 1 Portuguese Super Cup (Sporting Lisbon, 2002) 1 Portuguese Cup (Sporting Lisbon, 2002)
1 European Cup (Manchester United, 2008)
3 Premier Leagues (Manchester United, 2007, 2008, 2009) 1 FA Cup (Manchester United, 2004) 1 League Cup (Manchester United, 2006) 1 Spanish league (Real Madrid, 2012) 1 Spanish Cup (Real Madrid, 2011)
1 Spanish Super Cup (Real Madrid, 2012) 1 Portuguese League (Sporting Lisbon, 2002 1 Portuguese Super Cup (Sporting Lisbon, 2002) 1 Portuguese Cup (Sporting Lisbon, 2002)
VIDEO: REAL MADRID GREAT ALFREDO DI STEFANO AT HIS PEAK
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