Gianluigi Buffon remained coy when asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's decision not to attend the Ballon d'Or.
Gianluigi Buffon said Cristiano Ronaldo is free to decide what he wants to do in his life after the Juventus superstar did not attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen as former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric received the coveted individual award in Paris on Monday.
Ronaldo, who had split the last 10 Ballon d'Or honours with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, finished second behind Modric.
Antoine Griezmann came third in the voting while the Atletico Madrid's star's France team-mate Kylian Mbappe finished fourth.
Messi, meanwhile, fell all the way to fifth place despite winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper and ex-Juve captain Buffon was asked about Ronaldo's absence and he told reporters: "I think we are all free people.
"Everybody decides what he wants of his life."
Ronaldo has enjoyed a fine start to life at Juventus since sensationally leaving Champions League holders Madrid in the off-season.
The 33-year-old has scored 11 goals in 18 games after netting in last week's 3-0 win against Fiorentina.
Ronaldo became the first Juve player since John Charles (1957-58) to score at least 10 goals in his first Serie A season after matchday 14.
Next up for Ronaldo and Juventus is a clash with Inter Milan on Friday while Buffon's PSG take on Strasbourg on Wednesday.
tiger_bd
262
Come on..we all know Luca Modric is not even near with Messi or Ronaldo in the race of deserving The Ballon d'Or.If Messi was the winner and CR7 didn't appear,it will be a question.Now it's not even a question.Ballon d'Or is a joke now.
whykallar
156
This is very simple, CR7 has won 5 Ballion d'Ors, and he knows very well what it takes to be eligible for Balloon d'Or, Therefore he will only attend the award if it was or given to the right person, as a 5 times Balloon d'Ors winner, going there to see Modric received the Ballon d'Or, will be like he CR7 don't deserve 5, so he's simply trying to say that Modric don't deserve it, and i agree with him too. This is why he had to stay with his family
Alexsandra 1993
127
it a stupid question to ask of Buffoon, have u ever seen Cristiano attend a ceremony or Award he is not been give or invited to........... we all know Cristiano personality and know the kind of person he his before accepting him as our world Best. so if he didn't appear, it not a new thing to us. He is a straight forward person and doesn't go where he is not invited or loved. as for Messi, am shocked cos he is not the kind of person to snub such an event even thou he is not going to win it. but i don't blame him for is action cos FIFA insulted him by ranking him 5th position. it was a big insult and the highest of all order.