Posted by Cristiano Ronaldo has denied comments made by a French journalist that his major goal is to win more Ballon d’Or awards than Lionel Messi at the end of his career.
The Manchester United attacker has won the accolade five times, while Messi has won it a record six times and is expected to win it again in 2021 at a ceremony in Paris on Monday evening. Pascal Ferre, the editor in chief of France Football, the organization that organizes the Ballon d’Or, revealed earlier this week that Ronaldo had told him that his major goal was to retire having won the award more times than rival star Lionel Messi.
“Today’s outcome explains 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 Ballon d’Ors than Lionel Messi,” Portugal international Ronaldo posted on Instagram.
“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.
“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 those 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.”
Ronaldo was absent from Monday’s prize-giving event in the French capital.
The 36-year-old, who was a second-half substitute in his club’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, hit back at claims that his non-attendance was due to quarantine, while dismissing any suggestions of poor sportsmanship.
“And he (Ferre) lied again today, justifying my absence from the gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist,” continued the player’s Instagram post.
“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.”
source : fourfourtwo