Cristiano Ronaldo made Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry
Real Madrid player garlanded by Portuguese president in Belén Palace
A week after winning the 2013 Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday was made a Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry at a ceremony in the Belén Palace in Lisbon.
The decision to ennoble Ronaldo was made several weeks ago “to distinguish an athlete of world renown who has been a symbol of Portugal globally, contributing to the international projection of the country and setting an example of tenacity for future generations,” the Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva said at the ceremony.
“This decoration motivates me to continue working harder and also to continue to carry the name of Portugal abroad at the highest level,” said Ronaldo, who was created a knight of the order in 2004.
Ronaldo was accompanied to the presentation by his family, his agent Jorge Mendes and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.