# CNID Footballer of the Year

The CNID Footballer of the Year (often called the Portuguese Footballer of the Year) was an annual award given to the player who was adjudged to have been the best of the year in Primeira Liga. Between 1970 and 2005, this award was given to a Portuguese footballer playing in a foreign country or any player in Portuguese first League. Since 2006, this award only distinguished the best footballers to play in the Portuguese first League, so was called Primeira Liga Footballer of the Year, and the winner is chosen by a vote amongst the members of the Sports National Press Club (CNID).
The CNID Footballer of the Year award (from 1970 to 2005) has been presented since 1970, when the inaugural winner was Benfica striker Eusébio and the award was conceded by Portuguese newspaper Diário Popular. The last winner of the award was Ricardo Quaresma, in 2005. Seven players won the award on more than one occasion. Figo has won the award on the most occasions, having won six times in a row.
The first CNID Footballer of the Year or Primeira Liga Footballer of the Year award (2006 to present) was won by Quaresma in 2006, and the most recent winner is Benfica midfielder Pizzi. Benfica striker Jonas and former Porto winger Hulk are the only players who have won the award more than once.

## CNID Footballer of the Year (1970–2005)

The "CNID Footballer of the Year" or "Portuguese Footballer of the Year" (from 1970 to 2005) was an annual award given to a Portuguese player in foreign countries or any player in Primeira Liga, who is adjudged to have been the best player of the season. Only one foreign player has been awarded it, with Mário Jardel winning in 2002, although they were frequently nominated in the years previous.) The first award was delivered by the Portuguese newspaper Diário Popular to Benfica forward Eusébio in 1970. Luís Figo has won the trophy on the most occasions with six, all consecutively. The award has been presented on 36 occasions as of 2005 with 23 different winners.

### Winners

| Year | Winner | Playing League | Club | Position |
| 1970 | Eusébio | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1971 | Nené | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1972 | Toni | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Midfielder |
| 1973 | Eusébio | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1974 | Humberto Coelho | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Defender |
| 1975 | João Alves | Primeira Liga | Boavista | Midfielder |
| 1976 | Fernando Chalana | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Midfielder |
| 1977 | Manuel Bento | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Goalkeeper |
| 1978 | António Oliveira | Primeira Liga | Porto | Midfielder |
| 1979 | José Costa | Primeira Liga | Porto | Midfielder |
| 1980 | Rui Jordão | Primeira Liga | Sporting CP | Forward |
| 1981 | António Oliveira | Primeira Liga | Penafiel/Sporting CP | Midfielder |
| 1982 | António Oliveira | Primeira Liga | Sporting CP | Midfielder |
| 1983 | Fernando Gomes | Primeira Liga | Porto | Forward |
| 1984 | Fernando Chalana | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Midfielder |
| 1985 | Carlos Manuel | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Midfielder |
| 1986 | Paulo Futre | Primeira Liga | Porto | Midfielder |
| 1987 | Paulo Futre | Primeira Liga/ La Liga | Porto/Atlético Madrid | Midfielder |
| 1988 | Rui Barros | Primeira Liga/ Serie A | Porto/Juventus | Midfielder |
| 1989 | Vítor Baía | Primeira Liga | Porto | Goalkeeper |
| 1990 | Domingos | Primeira Liga | Porto | Forward |
| 1991 | Vítor Baía | Primeira Liga | Porto | Goalkeeper |
| 1992 | João Pinto | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1993 | João Pinto | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1994 | João Pinto | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Forward |
| 1995 | Luís Figo | Primeira Liga/ La Liga | Sporting CP/Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 1996 | Luís Figo | La Liga | Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 1997 | Luís Figo | La Liga | Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 1998 | Luís Figo | La Liga | Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 1999 | Luís Figo | La Liga | Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 2000 | Luís Figo | La Liga | Barcelona/Real Madrid | Midfielder |
| 2001 | Petit | Primeira Liga | Boavista | Midfielder |
| 2002 | Mário Jardel | Primeira Liga | Sporting CP | Forward |
| 2003 | Ricardo Carvalho | Primeira Liga | Porto | Defender |
| 2004 | Deco | Primeira Liga | Porto | Midfielder |
| 2005 | Ricardo Quaresma | Primeira Liga | Porto | Midfielder |

## CNID Best Portuguese Athlete Abroad (2006–)

The CNID Best Portuguese Athlete Abroad is an annual award given to Portuguese athletes performing outside of Portugal judged by CNID to have been the best. The award is given to footballers as well as to athletes in other fields.
| Year | Winner* | Club |
| 2006 | Deco | Barcelona |
| 2007 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2010 | Simão | Atlético Madrid |
| 2011 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2012 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2014 | Pepe | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2018 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Juventus |
| 2019 | Bernardo Silva | Manchester City |
| 2021 | Bernardo Silva | Manchester City |
| 2022 | Diogo Jota | Liverpool |
| 2023 | Rafael Leão | Milan |
*Only footballers listed

## CNID Footballer of the Year (2006–)

The "CNID Footballer of the Year" or "Primeira Liga Footballer of the Year" award, awarded by the Sports National Press Club (CNID), distinguishes the best footballer playing in the Primeira Liga. In 2006, during the celebration of the CNID's 40th anniversary, the award was officially presented for the first time, to Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma. Since 2011, the SCC and NOS jointly sponsor the CNID awards delivered annually. Under this new sponsorship agreement, all football awards are delivered during the Portuguese League for Professional Football (LPFP) Gala.