Spanish player Nico Williams recently shared his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, naming the Portuguese star as the athlete he aspires to emulate. While Lionel Messi is often celebrated for his technical skill, Williams feels that matching Ronaldo's level of dedication, resilience, and physical strength is an even greater challenge.
"Becoming like Ronaldo is harder than becoming like Messi. I want to follow in his footsteps; to me, he’s the better one,” Williams said. For Williams, Ronaldo embodies a unique blend of hard work, mental toughness, and top-level physical fitness—qualities he aims to adopt in his own career.
Ronaldo, widely recognized as one of the greatest footballers, remains a symbol of pride and leadership for Portugal. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious Quinas de Platina by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), an honor celebrating his enduring impact on Portuguese football and his role as a global ambassador. The award acknowledges Portuguese athletes who have made significant contributions on and off the field.
At the ceremony, Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, commended Ronaldo’s dedication to the national team, stating, “The Quinas de Platina is Portugal’s highest honor, and Cristiano Ronaldo truly deserves it. For over 20 years, he has shown unmatched commitment to representing Portugal. No one has demonstrated more love for our nation on the field than Cristiano.”
Following the ceremony, Ronaldo shared his gratitude on Instagram, saying, “It’s an honor to receive this award for my career with the national team. There’s still so much to achieve. Thank you.” His message reflects his ongoing passion for football, setting an inspiring example for young talents like Williams, who see Ronaldo as the ultimate standard of excellence.