Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his doubts over the credibility of the Ballon d'Or and FIFA the Best awards after arch-rival Lionel Messi claimed both accolades
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has raised eyebrows by expressing scepticism about the credibility of prestigious awards such as the Ballon d'Or and The Best.
Ronaldo pokes at credibility of global awards
In a recent statement, following the Globe Awards ceremony, Ronaldo was adamant about the lost validity of winning some of football’s most prestigious awards, and candidly remarked, "Ballon d'Or and The Best are losing credibility."
![Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I am proud to beat young goalscorers like Haaland in 2023’](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/29f47746-9ffa-4c7c-a345-254475bf542c.png?operations=fit(180:))
18:50 - 19.01.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I am proud to beat young goalscorers like Haaland in 2023’
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made headlines with his remarkable achievement in the world of football, winning the award for the best goalscorer in 2023.
![Revealed: Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote in FIFA ‘The Best’ awards despite being Portugal’s captain and here is why](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/14122022/9774d5ad-5f3b-423e-90ef-48dbf2462bc6.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
15:17 - 16.01.2024
Revealed: Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote in FIFA ‘The Best’ awards despite being Portugal’s captain and here is why
Cristiano Ronaldo opted out of the voting process for FIFA's ‘The Best’ awards despite being the captain of Portugal and having the right to vote.
The Portuguese superstar, known for his goal-scoring prowess and unwavering dedication to the sport, did not mince words when addressing the matter. "It's not to say that Messi didn't deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the numbers are there, and the numbers don't deceive. You have to consider the entire season," Ronaldo emphasized.
In an exclusive interview with Record, Ronaldo delved into his perspective on the subject, shedding light on his concerns regarding the evaluation criteria for these esteemed awards. "The numbers are facts," he asserted, highlighting the undeniable statistical evidence that, in his view, should play a crucial role in determining the recipients of such accolades.
![Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or Award five times | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/25052023/4d5c92f6-d88f-4e8f-a8ca-94bff873e0f4.png?operations=fit(480:))
Ronaldo's viewpoint challenges the conventional approach to awarding football's most prestigious individual honours, which often involves a subjective assessment of players' performances throughout the year. The emphasis on numbers underscores his belief in the quantitative aspect of the game, where goals, assists, and overall statistical contributions become paramount.
Ronaldo claims scepticism over awards not about Messi
Messi recently overtook Ronaldo as the player with the most FIFA The Best award and currently holds an 8-5 lead over the former Manchester United star when it comes to Ballon d’Ors, but the Al Nassr man claimed his recent submissions have nothing to do with the little Argentine saying, "It's not about taking away credit from other players. Messi, Haaland, Mbappé—they are all exceptional talents.
![Cristiano Ronaldo with his five Ballon d'Ors | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/09032023/60586703-382d-4fdd-810f-c50d06f987b8.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
He acknowledged the skills and achievements of his peers and his stance seems to revolve around a call for a more objective and comprehensive evaluation that considers players' performances across the entire season, not just isolated moments or competitions.
![In a special ceremony held at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday night, Inter Miami CF honored team captain Lionel Messi for winning his record-tying eighth Ballon d'Or. Instagram/Leo Messi](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/11112023/790b09f4-240a-4e94-8ab4-113450e63421.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The footballing world is no stranger to debates surrounding award decisions, with fans, players, and pundits offering diverse opinions on who truly deserves the coveted titles. Ronaldo's bold statements add a new layer to this ongoing conversation, prompting a reevaluation of the criteria used to determine football's outstanding individual performers.
![Messi is the best men's player in the world (FIFA)](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28022023/8f97c37e-94de-4f22-afa1-1361f33a915e.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
As the football community absorbs Ronaldo's remarks, it remains to be seen how this will impact the narrative around awards ceremonies in the future. Will there be a shift towards a more data-driven approach, or will the traditional blend of subjective judgment and statistical achievements continue to shape the landscape of individual football honours?
![Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or Award || Credit: X](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/30102023/0add1c08-e694-41ad-9484-94f797e9bc8c.jpeg?operations=fit(480:))
In a sport where opinions and perspectives often collide, Cristiano Ronaldo's critique challenges the status quo and invites a broader discussion on the criteria that truly define greatness in the beautiful game. As the debate unfolds, one thing is certain—the numbers, according to Ronaldo, tell a story that cannot be ignored.
Related content
![Many players are not happy here — Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate opens up in brutally honest interview](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/20012024/c7871e70-6218-4ab5-8dc1-d0dd92de97b8.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
16:17 - 20.01.2024
Many players are not happy here — Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate opens up in brutally honest interview
Al Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has revealed that several players are unhappy with life in Saudi Arabia.
![They can win the trophy — Cristiano Ronaldo predicts Champions League winners](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/b6e3b724-d4b6-4589-bf31-aa2881e6d759.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
19:51 - 19.01.2024
They can win the trophy — Cristiano Ronaldo predicts Champions League winners
Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has predicted the winners of this year's UEFA Champions League.
![Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his new N560 MILLION Ferrari Purosangue while rocking Gucci outfit](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/b5fb06d3-805b-4c3c-831d-3055f5372a36.png?operations=fit(180:))
19:26 - 19.01.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his new N560 MILLION Ferrari Purosangue while rocking Gucci outfit
Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet another supercar to his multi-million dollar automobile collection.
![Cristiano Ronaldo reveals retirement date at Globe Soccer Awards](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/e6754a74-b7b9-4e43-8424-38de3fd78909.png?operations=fit(180:))
19:11 - 19.01.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals retirement date at Globe Soccer Awards
Cristiano Ronaldo, the celebrated Portuguese footballer, recently made headlines with his comments about retirement.
![Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I am proud to beat young goalscorers like Haaland in 2023’](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/29f47746-9ffa-4c7c-a345-254475bf542c.png?operations=fit(180:))
18:50 - 19.01.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I am proud to beat young goalscorers like Haaland in 2023’
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made headlines with his remarkable achievement in the world of football, winning the award for the best goalscorer in 2023.
![Saudi League is better than Ligue 1 — Cristiano Ronaldo](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/31122023/a9b78c41-1dce-4339-b26c-dc27e891b320.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
18:40 - 19.01.2024
Saudi League is better than Ligue 1 — Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo makes a bold claim, stating that the Saudi Professional League is more competitive than the French top flight.
![Cristiano Ronaldo angers Manchester United fans with praise for noisy neighbours Manchester City](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19012024/84917363-33e4-452c-b1f3-76939694c90c.png?operations=fit(180:))
18:29 - 19.01.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo angers Manchester United fans with praise for noisy neighbours Manchester City
The former Manchester United star praised Manchester City for their dominance in 2023 when the Cityzens claimed the first European treble since the Red Devils' triumph in 1999
![Seven Nominations, Zero Wins: The only award that Lionel Messi has failed at](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/22112022/83bd0913-8144-4d73-9fee-a3deb672ccd0.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
14:45 - 18.01.2024
Seven Nominations, Zero Wins: The only award that Lionel Messi has failed at
Lionel Messi has won it all during his incredible career. Well, almost all, since one award has defied him despite seven nominations
![How Real Madrid stars helped Messi win FIFA The Best Men’s player of the Year award](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18032023/4532e504-9b80-402f-9e10-c1abdc2a48aa.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
14:28 - 16.01.2024
How Real Madrid stars helped Messi win FIFA The Best Men’s player of the Year award
Real Madrid fans would have been surprised to find some of Los Blancos' favourites choosing a Barcelona legend as their pick for FIFA The Best awards
![Report: Cristiano Ronaldo was partly responsible for making Lionel Messi claim FIFA Best Award](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/16012024/124d3c93-154e-4430-9417-1cd2451b2203.webp?operations=fit(180:))
14:20 - 16.01.2024
FOOTBALL Report: Cristiano Ronaldo was partly responsible for making Lionel Messi claim FIFA Best Award
Why Ronaldo partly helped Lionel Messi win the 2022-2023 FIFA Best Award.
![Mikel Obi links up with Ronaldo, Guardiola at FIFA THE BEST Ceremony](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/16012024/c281aaa0-ad2f-4b0a-a16f-715843044215.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
13:50 - 16.01.2024
Mikel Obi links up with Ronaldo, Guardiola at FIFA THE BEST Ceremony
Super Eagles legend John Obi Mikel was present at the 2023 FIFA THE BEST Award ceremony where he linked up with legends of the game.