Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Reportedly ‘Upset’ With Awards, Outlines Reasons
- Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly 'very upset' with the organisers of the coveted Ballon d'Or Awards
- The Portuguese maestro, a five-time recipient of the Golden Ball, has abstained from the awards for some time
- He has even refrained from voting for the Kopa Trophy, a category awarded to the best young player
Vincent Garcia, Editor-in-Chief of France Football, recently hinted that Cristiano Ronaldo may feel "upset" with the Ballon d'Or organisers.
This year's prestigious event, hosted in partnership with UEFA, will see either Vinicius Junior or Rodri crowned as the world's best footballer on Monday night.
Source: Getty Images
According to talkSPORT, neither Vinicius nor Rodri has previously won the Ballon d'Or, but one of them will join an elite list that includes legends like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Ricardo Kaka.
Read also
Vinicius or Rodri? 'Leaked' Ballon d'Or results show who will win ahead of ceremony tonight
Is Ronaldo upset with Ballon d'Or organisers?
All past winners have the option to attend the annual ceremony, but Ronaldo’s likely absence this year might be more than just a scheduling conflict.
According to Garcia, "Winners have the right to come back to all future ceremonies, but they don’t all come; some are very upset with us."
In an interview with The Times, Garcia implied Ronaldo’s relationship with the Ballon d'Or organisers may have soured, noting that the Portuguese star has avoided voting for the Kopa Trophy—a category awarded to the best young player—for two consecutive years.
“I don’t know for certain Cristiano is upset; I don’t talk to him directly, but I know...Cristiano didn’t vote last year, and he didn’t vote this year either,” Garcia shared, as reported by Nassr Zone.
Ronaldo's subtle jabs at Ballon d'Or Awards
Ronaldo’s subtle social media jabs at Messi suggest lingering discontent, despite his statement in 2023 that any rivalry with the Argentine is a thing of the past and that he holds "respect" for Messi’s achievements.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s restrained comments contrast with past intensity, leaving fans to speculate on whether his social media gestures hint at an unresolved rivalry.
Leaked results show 2024 Ballon d'Or winner
In related news, YEN.com.gh reported that leaked results hint at the likely winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or just hours before the grand ceremony in Paris.
According to the alleged leak, Vinicius Junior is set to take the top spot with 630 votes, narrowly surpassing Rodri, who reportedly received 576 votes, with Jude Bellingham completing the podium.
Ronaldo makes Messi acknowledgement
YEN.com.gh also reported that Cristiano Ronaldo once acknowledged an area where he believes his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, surpasses him on the field.
Despite their fierce rivalry, Ronaldo admitted in a 2016 interview that there’s one aspect of Messi’s game he envies: his remarkable left foot.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
