Cristiano Ronaldo has just added fuel to the fire in regards with the recent controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or win. The Argentine icon was named the recipient of the 2021 edition of France Football's coveted prize, but it appears his long-time Portuguese rival agrees with the claim that La Pulga was undeserving of the award.
This latest storm comes after the Man United superstar left a comment on a post made on Instagram claiming that Leo did not merit his win. The post, made by a Cristiano Ronaldo fan page, argued that the two deserving candidates for the 2021 honor were the five-time winner and Robert Lewandowski, with the Portuguese legend just edging it out.
And some harsh words were used to describe Messi's achievement, with his triumph being blasted as being 'Theft. Dirt. Shame. Simply regrettable". Cristiano; who came in sixth in the voting behind Leo, Lewandowski, Jorginho, Benzema, and Kante; replied to that post, writing "facts", hinting at an agreeance with the fan page's argument.
"Who saw, saw. Anyone who is smart enough knows who the real deserving ones are. Receiving awards without earning it is false happiness, without pride." the Instagram post read.
"43 goals in the year, 6 goals in 5 games in this Champions League, all decisive and a guy who, regardless of age, continues to work miracles and is the guy who most impresses the world most often.
"They still put the guy in 6th… Do you really think that 5 guys did more than him in the year? Never.
"He could fight for this award calmly and the fight would be good with Lewandowski who in individual numbers was incredible and Bayern had a better season than Juventus and has been having a calmer season than United, but at the national selection level for example, Cristiano was much better.
"And who does the prize go to? For Messi, who only won the Copa del Rey by Barcelona, he hasn't scored a goal against Real Madrid since when Cristiano left, disappeared in the big games of the season, won the Copa America that was supposed to be every 4 years and do practically every year.
"He didn't score in the final or in the semifinal. And he's been having a weak season with PSG individually.
"For Cristiano to win this prize he has to be 300% unquestionable. It's no use scoring the most beautiful bike of the year, being champion of everything by club, top scorer of everything and scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup, they still provide a way to take his prize.
"With Messi, it's the other way around. He can do a low-key season, way below, they'll always find a way to favor him and give him the prize."
Cristiano's reply can be interpreted in many ways, one being a criticism of Messi's triumph. However, it could also simply be Ronaldo airing his sense of injustice on France Football's part, with his 2018 Ballon d'Or snub being a point of contention up until this day.
Nonetheless, there are many who believe Messi's win was undeserved, with Real Madrid ace Toni Kroos launching the most scathing criticism. The German international stated on his podcast that Benzema, Lewandowski, Jorginho, and Cristiano have all enjoyed a better year than La Pulga. Similarly, Iker Casillas and Jurgen Klopp aired their disagreement with Monday's decision.
