Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Globe Soccer award in Dubai as the Best Player of the Year, the cherry on top of his 2013, a calendar year that has seen him score 69 goals. The prize was awarded as a result of votes by fans from around the world, which gave the Portuguese a landslide victory.

CR7 was handed the prize by the top sporting authorities in Dubai's government, who sponsor this international event. Previously, the Real Madrid player attended a large-scale conference, presided over by former referee Pierluigi Collina, where the Portuguese explained the secret of his success: "I've worked hard, at a high intensity. I've always been 100% dedicated. I have really put a lot of effort in".

Without any shadow of a doubt, his ambitious character constantly drives him on to set himself new objectives: "I always try to improve, to achieve new goals". Improving on the number of goals he's scored this season is amongst his top targets. "I'll definitely try to improve my goal scoring. If you don't try to achieve something, you can be sure you won't get there. Scoring goals is my passion", he said.

Cristiano asked Collina for the implementation of a spray to mark the distance of the wall for free kicks, and he also joked with the former referee telling him that he wasn't very talkative before adding that he "likes talkative referees". The Madrid star also said that "sometimes pressure is positive", adding: "I like it".

He used the catchphrase of going from "game to game" to refer to the approach that Portugal will have at the World Cup, and he used the Spanish side as an example of how constant improvement can end in success: "They deserve everything they've won. They've been the best. The question might even be asked why they didn't win all these titles before. Well football is like that. And I hope that golden period can arrive for Portugal one day as it has for Spain".

CR7 got the whole room laughing when he was asked who his favourite player is: "Apart from me?" came his reply. He quickly explained "I'm joking, I'm joking", before adding: "I don't really have a particular favourite player. There are some fantastic players in Europe and the rest of the world. I like to play alongside great players, like my Real Madrid teammates, and I also enjoy playing against top players".

Collina congratulated him for his decisive role against Sweden, for "scoring five goals" – "four!" came the correction from a smiling Ronaldo, who explained that he had just done his "job".