Cristiano Ronaldo has denied the claims of a French journalist that his primary goal is to complete his playing career by winning more Ballon d’Or than Lionel Messi.
It is believed that the Manchester United forward has collected the prize five times, while Messi has been awarded it on a record six times and is expected to claim the prize in 2021 at the ceremony on Monday night, November 29, in Paris.
This week, Pascal Ferre, the editor-in-chief of France Football – organizers of the Ballon d’Or – said Ronaldo has told him that his main goal was to retire after he had won the award more times than his rival Messi.
Ronaldo in his reply wrote;
“Today’s outcome explains why Pascal Ferré’s statements last week, when he stated that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi.
Pascal Ferré lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for. It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or. And he lied again today by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.
I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I’m never against anyone. I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent, I win for myself and for those who love me. I don’t win against anyone.
The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country. The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers. The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football.
I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United’s next game and on everything that, together with my team-mates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. The rest? The rest is just the rest…👊🏽”
Source: Kingaziz.com