Messi and Ronaldo have given away Ballon d'Or trophies for different reasons
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have plenty in common after putting together iconic careers respectively, including winning numerous Ballon d'Or awards.
The pair also share the habit of giving all of their golden balls away, albeit for differing reasons. Messi won a record-breaking eighth Ballon d'Or last year after winning the World Cup, playing a part in Paris Saint-Germain's title and making a huge impact in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Ronaldo won the last of his five Ballons d'Or in 2017, but like Messi, he does not keep any of them in his personal trophy cabinet. Instead, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid superstars have donated each of the 13 Ballon d'Ors they have won between them.
All eight of Messi's reside in Barcelona's museum at the Camp Nou, even the last, which he won away from the club, in a clear gesture of his respect and appreciation for their role in his journey. Four of Ronaldo's five Ballon d'Ors are also in a museum, but they're in his own personal museum on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
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Instead of being a celebration of a club's history, Ronaldo's trophies have been donated for the celebration of his own achievements on the island where he was born and raised. However, Ronaldo decided to donate his 2013 trophy to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children affected by life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.
The award, which was Ronaldo's second, went under the hammer at an auction in London in 2017 and was snapped up by Israel's richest man and co-owner of Atletico Madrid, Idan Ofer, who forked out £513,000 for a piece of football history.
Although Real Madrid won neither La Liga or the Champions League that season, Ronaldo pipped Messi and Franck Ribert to the award, claiming a 28 per cent share of the vote. The Portuguese, who now plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, was at the peak of his powers at the time, scoring 55 goals in 55 games in all competitions in the 2012-13 season.
Ronaldo donated his 2013 Ballon d'Or to charity (AFP/Getty Images)With Messi and Ronaldo leaving European football behind in favour of stints in the United States and Saudi Arabia respectively at this late stage of their careers, it is highly unlikely either man will win the Ballon d'Or again. Messi, 36, savoured the moment when he received the eighth of his unrivalled career in October.
“I’m delighted to be here once more, to be able to enjoy this moment one more time," he said. "To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, I want to share this with all those who were involved," he said.
“They’re all special these awards, the most special is the team prizes. It’s always special to be recognised. I couldn’t have dreamed of having the career that I had, everything I’ve achieved.
"To be able to have the career I’ve had, and enjoy football as much as I have. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be going for, but I’m inclined to enjoy it. As long as I am fit physically and can compete, I am going to keep doing it."
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