Juventus forward Ronaldo picked up the award in person at a
ceremony held at the Armani Hotel on Sunday, beating longtime rival Lionel
Messi to the prize.
The 35-year-old, who has won domestic league titles in
Spain, England and Italy and Euro 2016 with Portugal, admitted his pride at
receiving the accolade, given to the player judged the best between 2001 and
2020.
"It's a pleasure to win titles," said Ronaldo, a
five-time Ballon d'Or winner, at the event.
"It's not easy to be top of the game for so many years.
I am really proud, but without a team, great coaches and clubs it is not
possible."
Ronaldo would also respond on Twitter , saying:
"Couldn’t be happier with tonight’s award! As I’m about to celebrate my
20th year as a professional footballer, Globe Soccer Player Of The Century is a
recognition that I receive with so much joy and pride!"
🏆 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo presented with the PLAYER OF THE CENTURY 2001-2020 Globe Soccer Award, by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, at tonight’s gala pic.twitter.com/DK3B3My5t6
— Globe Soccer Awards (@Globe_Soccer) December 27, 2020
Guardiola was honoured for a managerial career which has
seen him win league championships in Spain, Germany and England, as well as the
Champions League twice.
The Manchester City boss was not present at the gala, though
he accepted the award via a pre-recorded video message.
Both Ronaldo and Messi missed out on the men's player of the year award for 2020, however, as that went to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern's treble of the Bundesliga, Champions League and
DFB-Pokal also saw boss Hansi Flick rewarded as coach of the year.
Real Madrid were named the club of the century at the
ceremony, while Bayern picked up the team award for 2020.
Jorge Mendes was named agent of the year for 2020, winning
the award alongside his longtime client Ronaldo.
The Globe Soccer Awards, founded in 2010, acknowledge
excellence in football with an annual gala dinner and awards ceremony.