Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is behind the Ballon d'Or success of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric after the Croatian midfielder became the latest Bernabeu star to win the award.
The Portuguese forward was overlooked for the individual accolade as former Real team-mate Modric collected the prize in Paris on Monday night.
Modric's victory ended a 10-year dominance of the prize by Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi but his win did ensure a Los Blancos player had won it in five of the last six years.
Ibrahimovic, who is currently being linked with a move back to AC Milan, has joked that it was Perez competing for the prize with Messi and not Ronaldo.
'Now we know it was Perez who was competing with Messi', he said, according to Fox Sports.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri admitted he felt star man Ronaldo should have won the Ballon d'Or but feels the snub can act as motivation for the rest of the campaign.
Ronaldo finished second to Modric while Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann was third. Allegri thinks his player should have been given the prize but hopes his rebuff will spur Ronaldo on.
'I think he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or for what he did with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League,' he said, according to FourFourTwo.
'At the World Cup with Portugal honestly he couldn't go any further [than the round of 16]. Therefore, I mean, he deserved it.
'But I think that this can be a motivation to do even better this season and win the next Ballon d'Or with Juventus.'
noabeotuz
305
HI guys do you remember the players called Iniesta and Xavi. who Barcelona, UEFA and FIFA took two baloon d'or from this two player to give Messi. because Messi is the loved one. and Ibrahimovic is doing his part, as an player who won zero balloon d'or and was shooted out with Pep from Barcelona team, because of his attitude, specifically due is nonagreement with the Status given to Messi.
khiladisuman
295
what about fifa the best and world cup player of the tournament ?? you big nose egoistic overrated arrogant prick??
subknst
227
I don’t understand how Messi won.. la liga, copa del rey, pichichi then took Argentina to the World Cup with a hat trick he’s 5th in the ballon race not win his 6th ballon d’or
hoacikmy
194
I don’t think Messi deserves a fifth place in the Ballon d’Or. But 2018 was not Messi ‘ best year. I hope he isn’t slipping. He is having a good year at Barcelona. He should never be criticized for staying at Barca. Nor should Barca be criticized for adapting their strategy to make maximum use of Messi ‘s talent and ability. I thought something was missing from his game this year. I am a CR7 fan but I appreciate Messi greatness and wish him continued success. I don’t know if Perez is powerful enough to give several “ best awards “ to Modric. He is good but not the best at anything. These awards are so off base as to taint rather than praise him.
NASSEB12
148
ibrahimovic be like on perez