Ronaldo
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has slammed Ballon d’Or organiser and editor-in-chief of France Football Pascal Ferre, saying that Ferre “lied” about his rivalry with Lionel Messi and used his name to “promote his publication.”
Ferre told the New York Times last week that Ronaldo’s only career ambition was to win more awards than Messi.
The Portugal international has five awards, while Messi won the 2021 edition on Monday to extend his record haul to seven. Barcelona Femeni and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s award.
“Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballons d’Or than Messi,” Ferre said. “I know that because he has told me.”
Ronaldo, however, hit back at Ferre’s claims in an Instagram post ahead of the announcement of the winners.
“Today’s outcome explains why Pascal Ferre’s statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Ballons d’Or than Lionel Messi,” Ronaldo wrote.
“Pascal Ferre 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, justifying my absence from the Gala with a supposed quarantine that has no reason to exist or be carried out.”
Messi became favourite for the award after a list was leaked last week which appeared to show him winning the trophy.
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