“Beating Cristiano Ronaldo does not happen every day” – Chelsea player reveals after beating Ronaldo to win an award
According to latest reports via SportsKeeda, Former Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo to the Serie A Player of the Year award for the 2020-21 campaign. The striker was highly influential in the Nerazzurri’s Scudetto triumph last season, scoring week in and week out.
However, Ronaldo was considered Lukaku’s biggest rival in the race for the award following his brilliant goalscoring exploits for the Bianconeri during the term.
Despite getting one over Ronaldo, Lukaku didn’t hesitate to praise the Portuguese talisman, hailing him as one of the three greatest players in football history.
The Belgian told Italian outlet AIC (via Football Italia) after being crowned the Serie A Player of the Year for 2021:
“The club [Inter] always backed us and so did the fans who I want to thank. Being ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo is something that doesn’t happen every day.”
“To me, he is one of the best three players in football history. He also brought me to a different level because he does great things.”
In addition to being named the best player of the year, Romelu Lukaku was also included in the Serie A top XI for last season.
The current Chelsea striker has thanked everyone who voted for him as well as his ex-Inter Milan teammates and coaching staff. He said:
“I am really happy to be included in the Serie A top XI for last season. I want to thank all those who voted for me and the team that helped me a lot, the coach and his staff. It was the team’s achievement and it’s an honor to be in the top XI.”
He added: “It was my dream as a kid to play in Serie A and I did all I could to achieve it. I am satisfied to have done it.”
The Association of Italian Footballers (AIC) has given the awards for the 2020-21 campaign in Serie A with Romelu Lukaku named the best player of the season, while Antonio Conte was the best coach. https://t.co/DopEDOFeYx #SerieA #Calcio #Lukaku #Conte #FCIM #SerieA #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) March 21, 2022