Cristiano Ronaldo admits to 'anger' over Ballon d'Or defeats to Lionel Messi as Real Madrid icon claims award has lost all 'credibility' after Vinicius Junior's 2024 snub

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo was the first of that pair to claim a Golden Ball in 2008. He then saw Messi enjoy a run of four successive triumphs, before emerging victorious in four out of five years between 2013 and 2017.

Ronaldo has been unable to add to his tally since then, while Messi has pulled clear with eight successes. CR7 feels he was treated a little harshly at times, with remarkable standards being maintained at Real Madrid as he became their all-time leading goalscorer.

Current Blancos star Vinicius Junior was beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Manchester City midfielder Rodri in 2024, a decision that Ronaldo disagrees with, and he has told La Sexta of the prize not always going to the most worthy recipient: “There is no credibility, Vinicius should be the Ballon d'Or winner. I have felt it many times and I felt angry. Over time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win.”

Ronaldo has never been one to waste energy reflecting on the past, with the Al-Nassr forward – who is still going strong as he prepares to turn 40 years of age – adding on his achievements: “Something often has to happen to you for you to appreciate everything you've been through. I'm such a competitive person that sometimes I forget what I've achieved. If someone else were in my position, I would have quit football 10 years ago. I'm different.”

It is that drive that has kept Ronaldo at the top of his game for so long, with there no sign of him stepping aside any time soon. He considers himself to be the greatest player of all-time, regardless of what Messi fans may think of that, and still has more trophy targets and historic goal records to chase down.