Xtra Time Web Desk : Lionel Messi won the Ballon D’or on Monday night, winning the prestigious award for a record 7th time. In the meantime he extended his lead in the number of Ballon D’ors over his closest rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a margin of 7-5.
Although the Portuguese superstar wasn’t on the podium on Monday night, but still he was in the mix of things, courtesy of the France Football Editor In Chief, Pascal Ferre’s comments about comparison with his compatriot, Lionel Messi.
In a recent interview, Ferre said, “Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballons d’Or than Messi and I know that because he has told me.”
On the other hand, CR7 on Monday night slammed the Ballon D’or organizer on his Instagram saying, “Today’s outcome explains why Pascal Ferré’s statements last week, when he stated that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi. Pascal Ferré 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 an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist. 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. 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.”
With the Argentine Superstar winning his 7th Ballon D’or, it will be interesting to see how it reignites the never ending Messi-Ronaldo rivalry.