Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of having an "inferiority complex" and a "lack of sportsmanship," after endorsing a post which claims that Lionel Messi robbed this year's Ballon d'Or.
Messi won a record-extending seventh Golden Ball on Monday - a decision which was met with vocal opposition in support of Robert Lewandowski, who was denied the accolade again after a stellar 2021.
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But a CR7 fan posted a passionate plea backing Ronaldo, listing all of his achievements this calendar year and devaluing Messi's contributions in the process. The 36-year-old 'liked' the post and commented with the word "factos" with thumbs up and wandering eyes emojis.
It was a bad case of sour grapes and another tweet rightly pointed out how Ronaldo's support contradicts his own Instagram post, which claimed: "I always congratulate those who win, within sportsmanship and fair play that guided my career from the beginning, and I do so because I'm never against anyone."
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The 36-year-old was posting in response to Ballon d'Or organiser and editor-in-chief of France Football Pascal Ferre, who said: "Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballons d'Or than Messi. I know that because he has told me."
The Manchester United superstar is now being accused of hypocrisy, especially in light of the dignity which Messi showed in claiming the award.
Ronaldo has claimed five Ballon d'Ors during his own illustrious career, the most recent of which came back in 2017.
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His form in a Red Devils shirt since returning to Old Trafford this summer has salvaged an otherwise dismal start to the season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shown the exit door.
CR7 will now be focusing on the visit of Arsenal on Thursday night, in a match which has become increasingly important in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, Messi is looking ahead to a Ligue 1 match away at Lens on Saturday with Paris Saint Germain looking to extend their 12-point lead at the top of the table.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Paris Saint Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo
