Ronaldo slamming Ballon d'Or chief, Messi "lies" and excruciating exchange
Nowadays, when football fans think of the Ballon d'Or, they think of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The two have dominated the award in sensational fashion, winning every single edition of the gong between them since 2008 bar in 2018 when Luka Modric ran out the winner. The idea of a fierce rivalry between the two as they regularly aim to one up the other has long been a source of entertainment for the rest of the football world.
Both players have often been pressed for comment on the state of their relationship and there is not thought to be any ill-feeling between them. That's not to suggest there hasn't been a few awkward moments down the years.
Rarely if ever have Messi and Ronaldo lost their cool at the other, which in itself is commendable given they've faced off in some particularly fiery contests between Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, the latter was particularly annoyed just two years ago when the Ballon d'Or rolled around after some interesting comments from the organiser of the award, Pascal Ferre.
The Ballon d'Or chief told the : "Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballons d’Or than Messi, and I know that because he has told me."
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The remarks sparked fury from the Portugal captain, who insisted the comments were far from true. Taking to Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: "Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferre'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 Ferre 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.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi currently have 12 Ballon d'Ors between them (Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)"And he lied again today, 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."
That sorry saga is not the only time there's been an awkward exchange involving the two titans. 2007 marked the last Ballon d'Or ceremony before the dominant duopoly began. Brazilian playmaker Kaka took home the award, with Ronaldo finishing second and Messi capping off the podium places in third.
Just 15 days later at the Zurich Opera House, the FIFA World Player of the Year awards were held. The same gong has since been rebranded to 'The Best', and in 2007 was also won by Kaka. However, this time Messi came second and Ronaldo took third.
That small role reversal from the Ballon d'Or standings led to a particularly awkward moment in Zurich. There was significant confusion between the players over who finished where, which left both red-faced.
Ronaldo and Messi, pictured with Kaka (middle) had an awkward encounter on stage in 2007Though Ronaldo had clearly been named in third place, guest host Pele handed him the silver trophy, leading to then-FIFA chief Sepp Blatter to ask if the two talents would swap their awards.
The tension was hardly eased when one presenter tried to make a quip at Ronaldo's expense, joking "You tried! You tried!" as he handed Messi the superior silverware.
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With Ronaldo plying his trade out in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr nowadays, there is unlikely to be a repeat of such on-stage awkwardness at this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Messi, however, is the bookies favourite to take home the gong for the eighth time.
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