Cristiano Ronaldo hints that Lionel Messi didn't deserve the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup
In an interview with Portuguese TV, Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have taken a shot at his adversary Lionel Messi, when he said that he didn’t know why Messi was awarded the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup.
Ronaldo, who was crowned the Best Player in Europe last night, was very quiet when asked about Messi’s award, which itself was very surprising as Messi had had a good World Cup, but never did it seem to anyone that he had done enough to warrant the Golden Ball.
The diminutive Argentinian scored 4 goals and provided 1 assist in the World Cup, but his performances dipped big time in the knockout round.
Ronaldo said, “If I said everything that I think, I would be in prison,' before laughing the comment off.” The Portuguese continued: 'Everyone can see, make their own judgements, the people in the world of football are intelligent. It would be a very interesting question for him. I cannot be honest about it.“
When asked about Messi’s influence on his performances, he said, “I don’t think he has helped me. Maybe sometimes the press tries to give a better impression of him.”
The former Manchester United man also denied that he had a personal rivalry with Messi saying, "To be honest, I think the rivalry thing is created by the press," Ronaldo said. "Because I do not have any rivalry with him. We go to the award ceremonies. We've always had a very professional and normal relationship."
He also spoke about who the best player in the world was, saying, "I would not say there is the best and the worst," Ronaldo said. "Each one does his job, each one delivers his best. Both want to be the best. For me, in my mind, I am the best.