Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo returns after France Football boss pokes fun at Lionel Messi rivalry
Ferré, the organizer of the awards, spoke to the New York Times ahead of this year’s ceremony and revealed information from a private conversation with Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo has only one ambition and that is to retire with more Ballon d’Or [awards] than Messi. I know because he told me,” Ferré told the Times.
“Today’s results explain why Pascal Ferré’s statement last week, when he said I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with multiple Ballon d’Or titles. than Lionel Messi,” Ronaldo wrote.
“Pascal Ferré lied, he used my name to promote himself and advertise the publication for which he worked.
“It is unacceptable that the person responsible for presenting such a prestigious award could lie in this way, utterly disrespectful to someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or.
“And today he lied again by justifying my absence from the ceremony on the allegation of being quarantined with no reason to exist.”
Pascal Ferré was not immediately available when asked for comment by CNN.
‘I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent’
Ballon d’Or voted by 180 journalists and awarded by France Football for the best male and female players of the year.
Ronaldo is currently 2 behind Lionel Messi after finishing 6th in this year’s ranking. This is the first time he’s been outside the top five since 2010.
He added: “I always want to congratulate the winners, in the spirit of sport and fair play that have guided my career in the first place, and I do it because I have never resisted. whoever.
“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 someone.
“The biggest ambition in my career is to have my name written in golden letters in the history of world football.”
This year’s award has sparked controversy with some questioning whether Messi deserves the award ahead of runner-up Robert Lewandowski – who has scored 53 times this year, more than any other player. in Europe’s top five leagues or not.
There are also people who think that Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, who is ranked 7th, deserves to be ahead of Ronaldo.
Despite his side’s failure to win a trophy last season, Salah has scored 22 league goals and has started the year with some eye-catching performances.
Jorginho, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with Italy, finished third.
