Cristiano Ronaldo calls Ballon d’Or chief a "liar" after Lionel Messi claim
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Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at Ballon d'Or chief Pascal Ferre over his recent claims regarding Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, 36, has won the prestigious golden ball award five times during his career.
But Messi is the overwhelming favourite to scoop the 2021 edition after a solid season with Barcelona before moving to PSG.
Ronaldo will not be in attendance at the ceremony tonight – and that may be something to do with Ferre, who recently said he spoke with the Manchester United forward about wanting to retire with more Ballon d'Or's than Messi.
Ferre, the editor of France Football – who present the award, told theNew York Times: "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."
But Ronaldo has slammed Ferre's comments and unequivocally denied the claims on social media hours before tonight's ceremony.
"Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferré's statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi," he wrote.
"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 by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.
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"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.
"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…"
Ronaldo made it into the top 10 of the 2021 shortlist.
But Messi is the overwhelming favourite to add to his tally of Ballon d'Or awards.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Lionel Messi
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