Cristiano Ronaldo will vote for Fernando Santos over Zinedine Zidane for FIFA 'Best Manager' award
Cristiano Ronaldo says he’ll pick Fernando Santos as his choice for the manager in the upcoming FIFA ‘Best’ awards. The 31-year-old won the UEFA European Championships with Portugal this summer and feels it trumps the UEFA Champions League that he won with his club manager Zinedine Zidane earlier in the year.
Being the captain of the national side, Ronaldo has the opportunity to vote for his favoured manager amongst other categories and cited Portugal’s win being their first ever in history as the reason he’s chosen Fernando Santos.
"Obviously my two coaches did an awesome job, both Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Santos," said Ronaldo.
"Now, in my opinion, it is much more difficult to win a European Championship with Portugal, the first in our history. Zidane's done a fantastic job but I have to favour one over this little bit, I would say Santos.
"That's not based on our relationship, with both it's fantastic, I imagine they'd do the same in my position."
And having just signed a new contract with Real Madrid and Nike and having won the Alfredo di Stefano award, too, Ronaldo admits he’s more than happy to renew with the Madrid giants.
"It has been a tremendous week," stated Ronaldo. "Three days ago I renewed with Madrid and now have my new agreement with Nike so this has probably been the best week of my life.
"We are like a family at Real Madrid and I'm very proud to be continuing that relationship."
The former Manchester United man also admits that this is one of his best ever years given his victories with Portugal and Real Madrid. And given his team are on top of the table in the La Liga, it’s all good and swell.
"I'm sure it has been the most important year of my career," admitted Ronaldo.
"To win the Champions League with Real Madrid, the European Championship with Portugal, renewing with Real, renewing with Nike, I'm 100 percent sure this has been the best year of my career.
"I remember how hard it was for me to leave Madeira at 11 years of age to come to Lisbon, as a scrawny kid."I grew a lot as a person and as a player thanks to so many people, especially Aurelio Pereira. Then I left for Manchester and everything moved very fast."
Ronaldo will return to Real Madrid after the international break to take on cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid followed by a return to his first professional club, Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League.
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