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Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo took an indirect dig at arch-rival and Argentine international Lionel Messi. Ronaldo was recently crowned the 2023 Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards. During the ceremony, he launched a subtle attack on Messi and said that awards like the Ballon d’Or and Best Award are losing their credibility. The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain recently won the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award, after he claimed his record eighth Ballon d’Or Award in October 2023.
Messi’s win received a lot of criticism and was surrounded by controversy. During the Globe Soccer Award ceremony in Dubai, Ronaldo opened up on it and launched an indirect attack at his Argentine rival. Not only this, but he also said that the FIFA and Ballon d’Or Awards have been losing their credibility. Ronaldo said, “I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility.”
He added, “We have to analyse the entire season. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe, I simply no longer believe in these awards and it’s not because I won at the globe soccer but these are facts, the numbers are there and the numbers don’t deceive. They can’t take this trophy away from me because it’s a reality, So it makes me even happier because the numbers are facts.”
Speaking on his retirement plans, Ronaldo said, “As I often tell my friends, life is dynamic. Tomorrow is uncertain. I could end my career at the end of this season, or I could play for another two or three years... I don't know, to be honest. As long as my mind and body are in good condition, and I enjoy playing football, I will continue. When I feel that I am no longer useful, I will be the first to take that step. Right now, I feel in a good state, and I experience satisfaction and happiness on the field, whether in the national team or at the club. I continue and enjoy.”
