Croatian media criticise Ronaldo's absence: 'His ego is bigger than footballing ability'

On Tuesday, the Croatian media were unanimous in their praise for their own Luka Modric for winning The Best award, and in criticising Cristiano Ronaldo for his absence from the ceremony.

The 33-year-old received the award on Monday night and broke a decade of duopoly from Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the individual awards.

However, neither the Portuguese, who was a finalist for the award, nor the Argentine attended the event.

"Cristiano's ego is bigger than his footballing ability, he always wants to say: 'There is nobody better than me'," wrote Croatian newspaper Sports Novosti.

"There is someone though because there is a boy from Zadar who has passed him this year.

"When Cristiano isn't the best, he doesn't come to the ceremony, he isn't willing to endorse another player, let along congratulate him.

"His vanity was eclipsed by a Croatian. Why didn't he attend the gala?"

Modric, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid and led his country to a World Cup final, finished ahead of Ronaldo and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

"Modric didn't receive the recognition of Ronaldo, but Pele and the real Ronaldo [Nazario] were among the first to congratulate him," noted index.hr.

"The Portuguese was not there because he can't bear to leave [these ceremonies] empty handed," was the critical tone of newspaper 24 Bata.

Even in his new home in Italy, there was also some negativity directed towards the Juventus forward.

"Nobody can distinguish him anymore, CR7 sees his brand becoming more vulnerable outside of the protective bubble of Real Madrid," said La Repubblica newspaper.

"Maybe he knew that he wasn't going to win or maybe it was just intuition.

"He didn't come to London because he couldn't stand the idea of just being the wallpaper."

"These are absences that are felt more than 1,000 assists," La Stampa stated.