CRISTIANO RONALDO posed with 15 of his glittering individual trophies.
After seeing in New Year, football’s superstars were all over social media posting snaps for their millions of followers.
Cristiano Ronaldo poses with 15 personal trophies in Madeira
Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi had a glass in hand in a snap he shared with his pregnant wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
And Harry Kane got some stick from his missus for neglecting her in snap he posted with his eight hat-trick balls from 2017.
Real Madrid ace Ronaldo also went it alone for a photoshoot in his Madeira homeland, featuring with 15 of the tens of gongs he has amassed in his 15-year career.
At one stage he had the trophies stood in a straight line as he sat on a railing against the backdrop of the Portuguese island.
Ronaldo in a separate snap taken during a photoshoot in his homeland
Ronaldo also shared this picture with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez
The couple pose in Paris after Ronaldo was awarded his fifth Ballon d’Or in early December
Perhaps realising duties to his sponsors, after signing a billion-dollar lifetime deal with Nike at the end of 2016, he then took off his leather jacket to display the a t-shirt bearing the name of the sportswear giants.
For good measure the Portuguese curved all his awards while sat on a different part of the balcony.
He shared one of the snaps along with a message for his 118million Instagram followers.
RONALDO’S 15 TROPHIES
Fifa Ballon d’Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Uefa Best Player in Europe: 2014, 2016, 2017
The Best Fifa Men’s Player: 2016, 2017
Fifa World Player of the Year: 2008
European Golden Shoe: 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15
The 36-year-old said: “When I played in the streets of Madeira and dreamed of reaching the top of the football I could not imagine that one day I would take a picture like this.
“I dedicate this moment above all to my family, my friends, my teammates, the coaches with whom I have always learned and so many others who work in club and country structures.
“Finally, a special thanks to my fans. These trophies are yours too!”
Ronaldo has won the award five times, including four of the last five years
Ronaldo scooped his fifth Ballon d’Or in December to level Messi’s haul of five.
But Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde reckons Messi is still the best player on the planet.
The Argentinian genius fired netted from the spot as he inspired Barca’s 3-0 ‘Clasico’ win on December 23.
Valverde said: “Messi is the best player in the entire world.
Lionel Messi poses with his wife as they saw in 2018Credit: Instagram @leomessi
“He does something extraordinary with every ball he touches. We have the incredible good fortune to have him at our club.
“I can see how he faces competition and his enormous commitment to the club and the team.
“In terms of his position, playing in the middle is good both for him and for us. However, he can play well anywhere.”
