Santiago, Aug 28 (IANS): Ivan Zamorano, the Chilean ex-soccer star, and former player of Spain's Real Madrid and Italy's Inter, has received the Premio Imagen de Chile award in Santiago for his career and popularity.

"I thank you very much for this award. It is a great honour as a Chilean. My gratitude to my parents, who instilled in me the values of humility, sacrifice and fight for life," Xinhua quoted Zamorano as saying during the ceremony on Thursday.

The ceremony was held in the Pre-Columbian Museum in Santiago.

Zamorano, also known as "Bam Bam", said he and his wife are instilling in their children the same values.

"I always tried to wave the Chilean flag all over the world, to express our warrior and noble spirit of the Mapuche people. To be part of the national team was always a great pride," he added.

Chile's Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz, who leads Imagen de Chile foundation, said the award is to acknowledge Zamorano's qualities as Chilean.

"We want to honour his coherence inside and outside the soccer field, his spirit of constant improvement, his simplicity and dedication. He is a great contribution for the country's image," said Munoz.

Zamorano scored 40 goals during his participation in the national soccer team. He was the top scorer at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (six goals).