The Manchester United forward, who received the award for top scorer of the national team, guaranteed that his path “hasn't ended yet”, and that he wants to participate in the Qatar World Cup, between November 20 and December 18, and at Euro2024, in Germany.

“My path is not over yet. I still feel motivated, my ambition is up there. I am in a team with many young players with an extraordinary future. I want to continue to be part [of the team] at the [Qatar] World Cup and at the [2024] European Championships”, said the captain of the Portuguese national team which he has scored 117 goals in 189 games for.

The 37-year-old Portuguese striker became the top scorer at international level on September 1, 2021, when he surpassed the figure of 109 goals scored by the already retired Iranian Ali Daei, in the meeting with the Republic of Ireland, in Estádio Algarve, where he scored a double in the final stretch of the qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup.

At the ceremony that took place at Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras, coaches José Mourinho, winner of the first edition of the Europa Conference League at the helm of the Italians from Roma, and Abel Ferreira, two-time champion of the Libertadores Cup with Palmeiras, from Brazil, received an award each.

“I woke up today to the news that it had been 22 years since the first day I was a coach. I woke up to a photo that was sent to me when I was introduced at Benfica. 22 years later, I still enjoy training the same way, playing the same way, winning, hating to lose. Nothing has changed”, expressed José Mourinho, after receiving the award.

Abel Ferreira was not present at the gala for “personal reasons”, but highlighted, through a video, the “immense pride of being Portuguese”.