Ronaldo has had a capricious relationship with the FIFA ceremony (Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Despite his five Ballons d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo's relationship with the prestigious ceremony is far from smooth.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, second only to Lionel Messi's eight wins. However, Ronaldo tops the list of nominations, with 18 to his name.
Known for his competitive spirit, Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or triumphs have often been accompanied by controversy. From particular fan theories of “bias” against him to allegations of disrespect towards Messi, Ronaldo's journey through the ceremony has always been a rocky one. Thus, ahead of the 2024 ceremony on Monday evening (October 28), Express sport delves into Ronaldo's history with the Ballon d'Or.
“Proof” of bias
In October 2023, a devoted Ronaldo fan claimed to have found “evidence” of a plot to prevent the Al-Nassr striker from winning more Ballons d'Or. Aficionados presented what they believed to be evidence that the Ballon d'Or voting process had been biased against Ronaldo.
The complex thread on social media platform The second entry in the thread sought to support the original argument by featuring a ceremony in which Ronaldo's magazine cover image, depicting him in boxer shorts, was presented on the big screen.
A later article featured former FIFA president Sepp Blatter calling Messi a “good boy” and calling Ronaldo a “commander” on the pitch. Another article contained comments from former UEFA president Michel Platini, suggesting Ronaldo was not worthy of his 2014 accolade.
The series finale contrasted clips of Blatter praising Messi with footage of Ronaldo sitting on the bench at a World Cup event. The final message highlighted Ronaldo's views a decade ago, quoting: “This video shows the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, my club and my country.”
Ronaldo wins his fifth Ballon d'Or (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Ronaldo's reaction to Messi
In what was a memorable moment for the ceremony, Ronaldo once showed his competitive side after Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2023. Messi's remarkable World Cup success with Argentina secured him a unprecedented eighth individual title, but it visibly ruffled the team's feathers. former Real Madrid icon.
While Ronaldo has repeatedly professed his deep respect for Messi, his reaction to the Argentine talisman winning another Ballon d'Or suggested he might be far from thrilled. Siario AS journalist Tomas Roncero could not contain his exasperation at Messi's accolade.
He said: “Hello friends. What we knew happened. They were going to give Messi another Ballon d'Or. Messi has eight Ballons d'Or, well he should have five, he has the Ballons d 'Gold of [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi, [Robert] Lewandowski who won six trophies in one season and Haaland who was the top scorer of all.”
Notably, Ronaldo approved the provocative post with a like and further amplified the sentiment by leaving four laughing emojis in the comments.
Ronaldo and Messi have clashed several times for the Ballon d'Or (Image: Alexander Hassenstein – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Ronaldo 'should be banned' from voting
Ronaldo questioned the integrity of FIFA's The Best award after it was presented to Messi in January 2024. The former Juventus star expressed his dismay after winning the fans' favorite player award in saying individual gongs like The Best and the Ballon d'Or were “losing credibility”.
Danish football journalist Troels Bager Thogersen has joined the fray, suggesting Ronaldo might be right, although his logic is flawed. With more than a decade of experience voting for Denmark's Ballon d'Or, Thogersen claimed that allowing players to vote is problematic because they naturally tend to favor their teammates.
The Ballon d'Or voting process underwent a significant change in 2016 when it split from FIFA, leaving only the voting power to nominated journalists. This contrasts with FIFA's The Best awards, launched the same year as a rival to the Ballon d'Or, which still allows players and coaches to vote.
Thogersen, however, believes that this is counterproductive. “For a decade I have been voting for the Ballon d'Or, and one of the most positive developments was the decision by French organizers France Football and FIFA to part ways,” he wrote.
“FIFA chose the players and coaches with 'The Best', and it was a massive victory for the Ballon d'Or and for those of us who vote for football's most prestigious award, to no longer have to deal with the players Because if there is anyone who is not aware of his responsibility and who should be banned from voting for the awards, it is the biggest football stars, like Cristiano Ronaldo. himself.”
Thogersen pointed out that many footballers who participate in such awards often vote for their friends or vote tactically. For example, Ronaldo never voted for Messi or the Ballon d'Or or The Best award.
Moment described as “disrespectful”
A bizarre moment involving Ronaldo during the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony has been branded “disrespectful” by some fans on social media.
For the first time since 2010, Ronaldo is not among the top five for the Ballon d'Or. Despite his absence from the ceremony, he still made headlines when organizers broadcast a photo of him in his underwear alongside former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba on the big screen.
The photo, taken by Vanity Fair magazine ahead of the 2010 World Cup, sparked laughter from Messi, Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe. However, the joke seemed to backfire, with half the audience remaining unmoved. This then led to accusations of disrespect on social media from die-hard Ronaldo fans.
Ronaldo and Messi often sat next to each other during the awards ceremony (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
The Ballon d'Or sold
How important is this award for Ronaldo? The striker actually auctioned off one of his awards, meaning he now only owns four of his five Ballons d'Or, after selling it to Israel's richest person.
Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or was auctioned off in London, with proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Idan Ofer, Israel's richest man, won the prize with a staggering bid of £524,920 (€600,000).
The Ballon d'Or recipient receives a replica, which is usually gifted to their club or displayed in a personal museum. However, after his victory in 2013, Ronaldo chose to donate his to charity.
Ronaldo at the ceremony in 2013 (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Ronaldo among those who will snub the ceremony
Ronaldo was noticeably absent when Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or in October 2023. The lack of soccer superstars at the ceremony led to speculation that Ronaldo had inadvertently orchestrated a mass boycott of the awards.
Notable absentees included 2022 winner Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, former winner Luka Modric, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and even Harry Kane. Among the absent managers was City's Pep Guardiola.
However, it is more plausible that prior commitments prevented this set of superstars from participating rather than pledging allegiance to Ronaldo.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1968256/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Ballon-d-Or-Lionel-Messi