Cristiano Ronaldo admits to feeling “angry” over some of his Ballon d’Or losses to his long-time rival Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese superstar was the first to win the Golden Ball in 2008 among the two.
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He then watched Messi claim four consecutive titles, and later win four more between 2013 and 2017. ..Continue Reading
Since then, Ronaldo has not been able to add to his Ballon d’Or tally, while Messi has surged ahead with eight wins.
Ronaldo feels he was somewhat unfairly treated despite maintaining exceptional standards at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
In 2024, current Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior lost the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri, a decision Ronaldo disagrees with.
He has told La Sexta of the prize not always going to the most worthy recipient: “There is no credibility, Vinicius should be the Ballon d’Or winner. I have felt it many times and I felt angry. Over time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win.”
Ronaldo has always focused on the present rather than dwelling on the past. As the Al-Nassr forward continues to perform at a high level approaching his 40th birthday, he reflects on his accomplishments:
“Something often has to happen to you for you to appreciate everything you’ve been through. I’m such a competitive person that sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved. If someone else were in my position, I would have quit football 10 years ago. I’m different.”
It is that determination that has sustained Ronaldo’s high level of performance over the years, with no indication that he plans to retire anytime soon.
Ronaldo believes he is the greatest player of all time, regardless of the opinions of Messi’s supporters, and continues to pursue more trophies and historic goal records.
