"Didn’t vote last year and he didn’t vote this year" - Ballon d'Or chief claims Cristiano Ronaldo among people 'upset' with award ruling
Ballon d'Or chief Vincent Garcia believes Cristiano Ronaldo is "upset" with the award ruling. The Portuguese superstar is not among the 30-man shortlist for the award this year.
The former Real Madrid forward has already won the coveted trophy five times, although his archnemesis Lionel Messi has a record eight wins to his name. Cristiano Ronaldo currently plies his trade with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and also missed out on the nominees list last year.
Speaking to The Times (via Goal), Garcia - who is the editor of France Football - remained unsure whether the 39-year-old will attend the award this year. He also added that the Portuguese icon didn't vote for the Kopa Trophy for two years in a row, which is given to the best under-21 footballer.
"Winners have the right to come back to all future ceremonies but they don’t all come, some are very upset with us. I don’t know for certain Cristiano is, I don’t talk to him directly, but I know for example that former winners vote for the Kopa Trophy – for the best young player – and Cristiano didn’t vote last year and he didn’t vote this year either," said Garcia.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior remains the favorite for the Ballon d'Or this year. However, Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez are also deserving candidates. The award will be hosted at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday, October 28.
When did Cristiano Ronaldo last win the Ballon d'Or?
Cristiano Ronaldo last won the Ballon d'Or in 2017 and hasn't had a podium finish since 2019. The Portuguese first lifted the award in 2008 during his time with Manchester United.
It marked the beginning of the domination of two players on the award, something the world had never seen before. Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid the following summer and watched Lionel Messi pick up four Ballon d'Or trophies on the trot.
The Portuguese, however, fought back into the scene in 2013, before winning it once again the following year. However, the diminutive Argentinean wrestled it away in 2015, which would be his record-extending fifth award.
Cristiano Ronaldo drew level with Lionel Messi with wins in 2016 and 2017. However, the Portuguese would then watch his archrival add three more to his tally to go out of reach.
While the 39-year-old may not match up to Messi in the Ballon d'Or, his five wins still put him among the elites on the world stage. It is highly unlikely that another player will equal his achievement any time soon.