January 22, 2024
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has recently voiced his reservations about the credibility of two prestigious football awards: the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best. This skepticism surfaces following Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s victory in both categories for the 2022/23 season.
Ronaldo’s Concerns
In an interview with a Portuguese sports newspaper, Ronaldo expressed his belief that these awards are witnessing a decline in credibility. He emphasized that this viewpoint is not aimed at discrediting any specific player, including Messi, whom he acknowledged as deserving of the accolades.
“I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility. We have to analyze the entire season. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe. I simply no longer believe in these awards, and it’s not because I won at the globe soccer, but these are facts; the numbers are there, and the numbers don’t deceive. They can’t take this trophy away from me because it’s a reality. So it makes me even happier because the numbers are facts,”
Ronaldo shared with the newspaper.
Messi’s Unexpected Victory
Messi, who secured his first FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, emerged as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or in the 2022/23 season. However, the surprise came when he surpassed Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to claim the FIFA Best award in the men’s category in 2023.
Ronaldo’s Current Endeavors
Presently donning the jersey of Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s team holds the second position in the league table, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by seven points after completing 19 matches.
