Cristiano Ronaldo said he plans to be remembered as one of the best players of all time, as he was presented with the 2013-14 Golden Shoe award as Europe's top goal scorer last season.
Ronaldo shared the prize with Luis Suarez, who also scored 31 goals last season, in the current Barcelona player's final year at Liverpool. Suarez received his trophy last month at an event attended by Reds legend Kenny Dalglish.
This was a third award for Ronaldo, who also won the prize when at Manchester United in 2007-08 with 31 goals and earlier in his Madrid career in 2010-11 with 40. The 29-year-old told those present at the event that it was special to be recognised again, and he aimed to keep performing at such a level for many years.
"Winning the third Golden Shoe feels just like winning the first," Ronaldo said. "I am very happy, this is a very special day. I always try to do things well, not just last season. I always want more. The last five years my numbers have been very good. The last two were a bit better.
"I am not happy with being the best in Portugal. I want to be the best ever, I will work to do that. Then it depends on each individual's opinion. In my profession I want to be always the best, I am making my history step by step. When my career ends I want to look at the statistics and see that I am among the best players ever. I am sure I will be."
Ronaldo, who in recent months has been linked with a move back to Old Trafford next summer, also gave a hint that he and his agent Jorge Mendes would be open to talking to Madrid president Florentino Perez about extending the current contract signed just over 12 months ago.
"We must speak with Florentino Perez about renewing, but I am very happy," he said. "I have a contract until I am 33, then we will see if the 'presi' wants me for a few more years. Every day I feel that the fans love me more. I promise them I will give my best on the pitch. My passion, my goals, my assists, my games. I have many years left at Madrid."
The ceremony in the Spanish capital was attended by Ronaldo's mother and son, as well as Madrid teammates including Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, plus Blancos chief Perez. Ronaldo thanked everyone for coming and supporting him in winning the prize, while also acknowledging that individual prizes were important to him.
"I did not expect so many people," he said. "I thank everyone, firstly my teammates, without them it would not be possible. Also my family, the fans, the club, for giving me the opportunity to play for the best club in the world, and to win individual trophies. The collective is important, but so is the individual, I work a lot for that."
Ronaldo is already a huge favourite to win the trophy again next year, having begun the 2014-15 season with 17 goals from the first 10 games this term. He had scored in 12 consecutive games in all competitions, before drawing a blank in Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League Group F victory over Liverpool at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The Portugal captain is also currently the reigning holder of FIFA's Ballon d'Or trophy, and is tipped to win that prize for a third time when the 2014 award is handed over next January.