“It is unacceptable” - When Cristiano Ronaldo accused Ballon d’Or chief over spreading lie about Lionel Messi rivalry

In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo was furious with Pascal Ferre, the editor-in-chief of France Football, for claiming that the iconic player wanted to end his career with more Ballons d'Or than Lionel Messi. The Portuguese superstar had responded by saying that the Frenchman was spreading lies.

Taking to Instagram, Ronaldo remarked that Ferre was using his name to promote the Ballon d'Or and France Football. He added that his biggest dream would always be to win titles with club and country, not individual awards. He wrote:

"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."

"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," Ronaldo added.

"And [Ferre] 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," he concluded.

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2021, taking his tally to seven at the time. The Argentine added another award to his collection in 2023, after winning the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the coveted award five times.

What did Pascal Ferre say about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

In 2021, Pascal Ferre of France Football had claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo's only ambition was to finish his career with more Ballons d'Or than Lionel Messi. He said (via Business Insider):

"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."

Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the Ballon d'Or top 30 in the last two years. Lionel Messi won the award last year but was not in the top 30 this year.