Despite being among the three candidates for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to show up to the gala in Milan, something which has angered football's governing body.
Onn Monday afternoon, FIFA staff had taken Ronaldo's presence at the award show as a given for what promised to be a special gathering of the very best in the sport.
However, as time passed, the absence of Ronaldo became more evident, and gave an indication that Leo Messi would be scooping the top prize as opposed to Virgil van Dijk who had been the favourite ahead of the awards.
Given the fact that Ronaldo lives just 150km from Milan raised even more questions about the Portuguese star's decision to not show up.
When the time came to announce the FIFA FIFPro World XI, it became clear that Ronaldo would not be making an appearance, as his name was not even read out despite featuring in the team of the year.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino made no secret of his disgust at Ronaldo's absence as he spoke of Messi fully deserving the award and that he had finally gained the top prize in the men's game.
Dikbdekst
602
FIFA President, I urge you to go to hell cos the door is open. You guys should leave Ronaldo alone. His absence doesn't stop the award given to MESSI. Have you forgotten so soon that both Ronaldo and Messi were not present the last award ceremony? For God sake Ronaldo is not feeling strong and will miss their next game. Award or no Award,his is fine and happy with his family. I love Ronaldo with my last breath. I want to make all the football fans to understand one thing. The love for both Ronaldo and Messi is based on individual choice. There are people who love other players like Neyma, Hazard,Bale etc than Ronaldo and Messi. It is a personal choice. please take note and stop the hate.
DeepHack
585
His ego didn't let him to attend the ceremony
zupeiknpyz
453
Ahahah what a joke Fifa are . Firstly , they rob Ronaldo last year , broke all records , top scorer in the champions league , broke all types of records , for club , country etc , Guided Portugal to the WC . Played fantastically , who can forget his hat trick against Spain . They chose to give it to one of his clubs ex teammates , Mordic , ( played one good game in the WC ) . Ronaldo was robbed by fifa idiots . Now , look at fifa controversy , Ronaldo did not win the Puskas award either !! With that spectacular goal against Juventus , or even Bale for his great goal in the final . They chose to give it to someone who sccored an ordinary goal .( maybe fifa wanted to introduce new players ) Now this year , they gave the Puskas award to someone , who scored a similar goal as Ronaldo last year , but , not as spectacular ( see the contradiction ! ) This year they favorite to win the best player was , VVD , yet , they gave it to Messi , despite not winning the champions league , and playing so badly for Argentina . Just because he was the Spanish leagues top scorer playing for a team , with the most expensive players assembled in the world , all playing for Messi ( if players don’t comply ? Look at Neymar and Coutinho ) ahah . Messi is carried all the way . So why has Fifa chosen to change the rules this year ? To suit Messi ? Yet , the previous year , chose to punish Ronaldo , by changing all the rules ? Dictatorships are out of fashion . A rugby supporter now , go Springboks . Put Fifa in the trash . Already , during Blatters time , Messi was carried by him . And everyone knows and recognizes it . Cheats . Remember Iniesta , remember the WC in Brazil ! What jokes . 11 German players got snubbed by FIFA , to give poor Messi the best in the competition . Let Messi go and play in England , Italy , Portugal. Etc .Maradona , Ronaldo are way better . Facts .
fauadeilop
296
he didn't attend bcz he knew It would be disgusting to attend d Fake award ceremony, Atleast he didn't blames Federation as Corrupted unlike some one 😂
Lepadeorsu
194
I now understand why every player want to go to Spain,if u r not playing in Spain forget it FIFA or wat ever they call themselves will always be bias against other European teams , in fact four English teams made it to European final plz tell me hw many of them make the fifpro 11, as for the coaches & Captains we can excuse them because they don't get the chance to watch as many matches like the fans & media men,in my personal opinion the media made the gud choice VVD is my best player of the year in review.is don't understand why Coutinho left Liverpool to Barcelona because historical to me oo Liverpool is better than Barca based on European laurels.is my opinion sha
fidbknr
115
I don't know how true this is. It may just be the opinion of the writer. Ronaldo may have his reasons for not attending. Good or bad. But I don't think that Messi won bcos Ronaldo didn't show up. That's like saying he wouldn't have won had Ronaldo showed up. I think the winners of these awards are known even b4 the presentation day. But I did notice the way the FIFA president called out the winner (Messi). He was like, " the best ,the best player now ...." sth like that. As if it was a dig at someone. That's the first time I have heard a player called out like that. I don't know if it had sth to do with Cr7 . Anyway ,Messi won deservedly (Van Dijk would have bn a deserving winner also) bcos it's an individual award. Hoping he adds the Ballon D'Or. But if Van Dijk wins it ,no problem on my side.
cakacimpry
109
it is like FIFA decide the men's player of the year award at will and not by Merit, if not V V Dijk supposed to be given the award. Van Dijk players better than Messi since last season till date. Van Dijk helped his country to Europe final, helped his Liverpool club to two UCL finals and lifted this last one. Van Dijk the current super cup champion. Any body talking about Messi's past glory is bringing confusion to the affaire because he has received to those past glory. Presently Van Dijk played about 15 league matches unbeaten. Van Dijk played up to 42 straight matches at Liverpool unbeaten since March last year till date. Therefore if we are not telling lies, then Van Dijk is the current best player. Some talk of Messi's 60 goals yes, but in Van Dijk's position as a defender he played up to 64 matches with out been dribbled past. Van Dijk got up to 21 clean sheets in EPL last season 27 over all more than Messi. FIFA should please try to be Real and give honour to whom honour is due. We watch every game and all know what is going on. Thanks.
buwabcepsy
79
The question is, I'm yet to see someone tell me what Messi achieved last season. Ronaldo won three trophies last season, Messi won only ONE. Even FIFA failed to show us what qualified Messi for the award. They just said "OFFICIALLY." What does that mean? Meaning the award is only meant for players from Madrid and Barca only. The award is not based on merit again since Ronaldo left Madrid. They have always shows the height of hatred towards Ronaldo's success, both the past and present ruling bodies of FIFA. Messi won only league, of which Man. City also did. Even PSG, Bayan etc. Why was the award not given to Arguero, neither was Arguero nominated in any category. What did Hazard and Modric achieve last season? Just because they are in Madrid. This award is for only Madrid and Barca, period
Jobcestuz
68
some people are lost by their support and love for Ronaldo to the extent that their passion for him wouldn't let them reason and sincerely fair no more. it would have been the greatest injustice in FIFA award if Messi was not the winner of this award, as the highest goal scorer in UCL, and Europe. He's far ahead of any player this time. Last year, not only UCL was considered, but performance in WC and UCL. It's left for the Real Madrid president to back or prefer Modric to Ronaldo, as Liverpool prefer Van dijt to any of his player. it's all by votes. Modric took his nation to WC final, and also among the Madrid squad that one da UCL, so it's optional! if Modric was Messi's team mate like Suarez, Xavi or anybody, he would be so happy for him. this is part of Messi's manner that supersedes Ronaldo's attitude. the world is not his (Ronaldo) alone
zibkls
53
based on FIFA criteria,messi won this award fair n square.Rinaldo didn't achieve much last season due to injury concerns.but I make bold to say that players shld desist from snubbing awards once they know dey will not win.messi n ronaldo did it last year n Rinaldo again this year with his tactical withdrawal.awards are recognition n reward for hard work n without these awards,players wld not know how much dey hv achieved n accomplished.climbing d podium yearly is nobodys birthright.going forward,once award nominees cannot give cogent reasons for their absence,awards shld b given to d second on d list.
Amanda-
39
Ronaldo definitely dislike losing to Messi
Haybenotuz
35
Two months ago All football and goal.com had. bought out an article which showed that Messi was the winner of this years FIFA men player.Remember by then the votes had not even been cast yet... Make your own conclusion.. for me FIFA IS BASIS and needs to be investigated Our football is dying due to this few people in the ministry
Nesaiknruy_Legend
21
He does this near enough every time that he knows he wont win, I'm sure he missed last years one too...
ElpawherReilly
12
His ego didn't let him to attend the ceremony
What about Messi EGO last year cauz he didn't attend also........ 😂 U guys are something else
SINGAM23
9
Oohh FIFA, relax yourself and don't get tensed up... !!! (Ronaldo had only wished Messi to enjoy the day with Awards yesterday)