The View From Portugal, How Much Do They Love Ronaldo at Home?

In Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded as the country’s number one export, ahead even of Jose Mourinho. His ads appear on Portuguese TV and his face looks down from billboards around the country where he has become even bigger than Eusebio or Luis Figo, to whom he is hailed as the successor.

A recent headline in the sports paper Record read “Ronaldo is Portugal”; the article said he is “Portugal’s greatest global icon”. Even Benfica fans, who previously abused him, now see him as national hero.

Ronaldo made his national team debut in august 2003 at just 18 and just a star at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. During 2006, he made a particular breakthrough. He was voted Portugal’s best player abroad by managers of the Portuguese top division edging Luis Figo out of top spot for the first time in many years. 16 of the 17 coaches who voted picked Ronaldo. Ronaldo admits that recognition gives him extra responsibility in his homeland.

Nowhere is he more lauded than in his native Madeira where he receive the “Insignia Autonomica de Valor”, the highest distinction a Madeiran can be given. Regional president Alberto Joao Jardim justified the homage to the “most famous Madeiran in the whole world” by paying tribute to “his technical capability, his personality, tenacity and courage” and also “they way in which he wins in his life”, which he considered to be “a living example of Madeiran culture”. “There aren’t many Cristiano Ronaldo in the world”, he said.

Former sporting president Sousa Cintra says,” I feel pride as a Portuguese seeing a star who is recognized around the world as one of the best players. For me he’s the best. I’m sure next year he’ll be voted best in the world.”

Ronaldo was disappointed to be named only the third best FIFA’s awards, but Leonel Pontes, who was youth coach at Sporting, and is currently first team assist coach, recalls “He always wanted to be the best, the strongest and the one who scored the most goals. From the moment he was named third, he saw it as a challenge”. “He’s reached and unbelievable level and it’s extraordinary what he’s done so far. Most players who have archived stafdom did so later. Luis Figo, for examples reached his best at 25-26, received the Balon D’ at the age of 28, was best in the world at 29.”

Figo said of Ronaldo “had I been born with his talent, I wouldn’t have had to work as hard as I did.” To which Ronaldo replied “it very gratifying to hear praise from a great player.”

Portugal coach, Luis Filipe Scolari has also seen the player develop his potential. “He had all the potential to be the one of him leading figures of world football. He has received my vote of confidence and has grown a lot. Now, I want him to become one of the captains of our team.”