Cristiano Ronaldo suggests that individual football awards are diminishing in credibility, particularly as rival Lionel Messi secures another prestigious honor.
Despite Messi winning his eighth Ballon d’Or in November, he was recently named the Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2023.
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Despite spending the latter part of the year in the MLS with Inter Miami after his contract with PSG expired in June.
Ronaldo himself was recognized this week at the Globe Soccer Awards. He achieved a treble, securing the Best Middle East Player prize, the Maradona Award for the best goalscorer in 2023, and the Fans’ Favourite Player of the Year.
And in an interview with Record, the Al-Nassr forward voiced his frustration over the results of prestigious awards in recent times. “I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility,” he said.
“We have to analyse the entire season. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or [Erling] Haaland or even [Kylian] Mbappe. I simply no longer believe in these awards.
“And it’s not because I won at Globe Soccer. But there are facts, there are numbers. 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.”
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo’s streak of 19 consecutive Ballon d’Or nominations concluded after his transition from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia.
While the 38-year-old continues to play a crucial role in his national team, he feels that skepticism surrounding his move to the Middle East has deprived him of the recognition he deserves.
“We know how other organisms work,” he added. “Obviously, I always think about my club and the national team first. The awards come after a good season for the club and the national team. I don’t think about it much, honestly.
“As you said, well, the 54 goals I scored, there may be those who say it’s easier because I’m in Saudi Arabia. But football professionals know that it is difficult to score goals, whether in Saudi Arabia or in Italy, Spain or Portugal. A goal is a goal. In a way, I feel even more proud to have beaten Haaland, Mbappe and [Harry] Kane.”
It remains uncertain if Ronaldo can lead his club to a Pro League title. Al-Nassr is currently in the second position but trails seven points behind the dominant leaders, Al-Hilal.
