Not winning the Ballon d’Or hurts Cristiano Ronaldo more than it would hurt anyone else.
The Portuguese striker, undeniably one of the best players of all time, craves individual recognition more than anyone else, but in reality, he did well to even make it on to the Ballon d’or podium for 2019 – especially ahead of Sadio Mane in 4th.
In trying to congratulate those ahead of him, however, the Juventus striker has made a sarcastic comment about Virgil van Dijk, while applauding his old rival Lionel Messi.
“Congrats to Messi on winning the Ballon d’Or & congrats to the one who went to the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the first time,” he said, according to Naira BET.
Ronaldo’s salty comment is obviously a result of van Dijk’s joke at the awards ceremony, in which he questioned a journalist who suggested Ronaldo was a rival for the gong.
The joke was genuinely funny, and followed by a long declaration of respect for Ronaldo and Messi from van Dijk – but not only did Cristiano’s sister take offence – but so did the five-time winner.
It’s pretty embarrassing, in all honesty. Can’t you be gracious enough to laugh at yourself and not take it all so seriously?
We suppose that’s not his style, which is one of the reasons he’s been so successful.
Still, lighten up, lad.