Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his long-held silence on Lionel Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or success, MySportDab reports.
Lionel Messi saw off the competition from Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to clinch his record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or trophy.
Lionel Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or success made his the first footballer to win the award outside the shores of Europe.
Messi is currently plying his trade with MLS side Inter Miami. He has been sensational since joining the Florida-based club but the 2022 World Cup triumph has been his gold card and tie-breaking feat in the race for the Ballon d’Or award.
Messi won 2022 World Cup with Argentina, including French Ligue 1 and French Super Cup trophy with PSG.
Erling Haaland, who finished second on the rankings was tipped by many to win the award but the Norwegian fell off the pecking order despite a prolific campaign with Manchester City last term.
As usual, debates of whether Erling Haaland or Lionel Messi is due for the award, has been rife among pundits since reports emerged Messi is set to be crowned the winner before the main event.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been Messi’s long-time rival and five times Ballon d’Or winner seems to have waded into the debate with his latest social media comment.
Cristiano Ronaldo commented on a satirical social media post mocking Lionel Messi’s winning 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
A translated version of the satirical post reads;
”Hello friends, we knew what was consumed. Messi was going to be given the Ballon d’Or again. Congratulations Leo.”
Ronaldo dropped four laughing emojis in approval of the post and critic of the award as well.
Some fans quickly took to reacted to comment with some fans calling him out for unfair comment since he was nominated for the award.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on 2023 Ballon d’Or nominees’ list for the first time in 20 years and did not attend the ceremony in Paris.
