Lionel Messi has won his record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or title. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has slammed Ballon d'Or chief Pascal Ferre for spreading lies over his comparison with Messi.
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has stunned the football world after being adjudged the best in the world again, as he has won his record-extending the seventh Ballon d'Or title. The ceremony was held in Paris on Monday, where Messi was bestowed with the honour. He edged out Polish star Robert Lewandowski.
On the other hand, Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, who happens to be the Argentine's most fierce competitor in the recent past, finished sixth. While many have debated what could have been the reason for his snub, having won five Ballon d'Or titles in the past, the Portuguese has slammed the Ballon d'Or chief Pascal Ferre.
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Ronaldo has blasted Ferre's comments of the former prioritising himself over the team, unlike Messi. Also, he rubbished Ferre's claims that he had once told him about winning more Ballon d'Or titles than Messi and retiring peacefully. Ronaldo posted a lengthy Instagram post, venting out his frustration.
"Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferré's statements last week when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi. Pascal Ferré lied. He used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for. It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d'Or. And he lied again today by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist," he wrote.
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"I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I'm never against anyone. I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent. I win for myself and for those who love me. I don't win against anyone," he added.
"The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country. The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all who are or want to be professional footballers. The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football. I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United's next game and on everything that, together with my teammates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. The rest? The rest is just the rest…👊🏽", he concluded.