Ronaldo Slams France Football Editor Over Comments On Messi Rivalry
Cristiano Ronaldo has refuted claims by the editor of France Football, Pascal Ferre, that his biggest ambition is to retire with more Ballon d’or awards than Lionel Messi.
Messi has just claimed his seventh Ballon d’or, two more than Ronaldo, following Monday’s awards at Paris’ Theatre du Chatelet.
Ronaldo, who was not present at the ceremony, finished sixth in the final standings.
Ferre, who is the editor of the organisers of the award, claimed in a recent interview that Ronaldo’s ambition is to win the award more times than Messi.
"Ronaldo has only one ambition and that is to retire with more Ballon d'Or than Messi and I know because he told me,” Ferre told the New York times.
However, in a strongly worded statement released just before Monday’s awards ceremony, Ronaldo labelled Ferre ‘a liar’ for his comments.
Ronaldo wrote on Instagram: “Pascal Ferre said last week that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi.
“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 by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.
“I always want to congratulate those who win, with the sportsmanship and fair play that has 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.
“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.
“I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United's next game and on everything that, together with my team-mates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. The rest? The rest is just the rest.”
