Cristiano Ronaldo admits to being left feeling “angry” over some of his Ballon d’Or defeats to eternal rival Lionel Messi.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Portuguese icon won Golden Ball in 2008
• Has taken his tally to five
• Argentine rival has eight triumphs on his CV

• Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Portuguese superstar Ronaldo was the first of that pair to claim a Golden Ball in 2008. He then saw Messi enjoy a run of four successive triumphs, before emerging victorious in four out of five years between 2013 and 2017.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo has been unable to add to his tally since then, while Messi has pulled clear with eight successes. CR7 feels he was treated a little harshly at times, with remarkable standards being maintained at Real Madrid as he became their all-time leading goalscorer.

• WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

  Current Blancos star Vinicius Junior was beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Manchester City midfielder Rodri in 2024, a decision that Ronaldo disagrees with, and he has told of the prize not always going to the most worthy recipient: “There is no credibility, Vinicius should be the Ballon d'Or winner. I have felt it many times and I felt angry. Over time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty/GOAL
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Ronaldo has never been one to waste energy reflecting on the past, with the Al-Nassr forward – who is still going strong as he prepares to turn 40 years of age – adding on his achievements: “Something often has to happen to you for you to appreciate everything you've been through. I'm such a competitive person that sometimes I forget what I've achieved. If someone else were in my position, I would have quit football 10 years ago. I'm different.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News