Juventus director Fabio Paratici insists they “respect Lionel Messi, but Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to win the award as The Best.”
The trophy was handed out by FIFA last night in a ceremony at Milan’s legendary Scala opera house, but Ronaldo did not attend.
This is believed to be because he knew that he hadn’t won the main award, which went to Barcelona star Messi ahead of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
“We respect Messi, but Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to win the award as The Best,” Paratici told DAZN ahead of this evening’s Serie A game with Brescia.
“We thought that after last season, when he won the Nations League with Portugal, Serie A and the Italian Super Cup with Juve, he deserved to win it.
“It’s a pity he is not available this evening, but he had a slight adductor issue and we’ll see how he feels for the weekend.”
Olatomide10
1277
Maybe this photo will put things in perspective
FreeAgent10
238
“We thought that after last season, when he won the Nations League with Portugal, Serie A and the Italian Super Cup with Juve, he deserved to win it. If Bernardo didn't win it then how could Cristiano?
RonaldoisCRAP
146
Go ask the real Juventus fans in Italy. They support the club for 8-10 years. Ask them who is the best, they will say it’s Messi. Don’t ask Juventus fans on this app who only support Juventus since last year
Pukdimn
97
Juventus directors still don’t understand THE BEST award he is given to the best player of the year, the one who played the best football. They have mentioned team trophies which won together with team.. If they count trophies then this awards belong to bernando silva.. he won 3 trophies with mancity and national cup with Portugal. He was awarded best player of the tournament They gave this statement to make happy stubborn guy..
fidbknr
82
That Juventus director wouldn't have said that had Ronaldo bn at Madrid. It's just trying to please CR7 . Barca directors would say the same thing abt Messi anyway. But these guys shd just be honest and bring up solid reasons. Serie A is inferior to Spanish La Liga (if u knw what I mean) ,so is that Italian cup to Copa del Rey ,CR7 himself knows that by the # of trophies he won there at Madrid. The national league ,maybe. But that's a mini league. 4 teams!!!! That's a joke. If he said Van Dijk deserved it ,yes even I would have agreed. Bernardo Silva a better candidate than CR7 bcos he won that National league,and all the cups in England (which may or may not be superior to Spanish cups). Let's not bn blinded by our love for our favourite players. If a different player had a better year , let's say it.
niydpst
65
I love CR7 and I am his fan but Messi plays more than him. Though cr7 is a very wonderful player and I am his fan but It’s very hard to dish out the best among Messi and CR7, but the fact that CR7 carried 3 straight champions league trophy which Messi never does, but CR7. The world best should go to CR7 without any dispute. He supposed to take it last year before modric manover due to World Cup.
Grabiboulga
62
Only collectiv awards that were won by Juve last year. CR7 bring nothing to Juve as they won nothing more. He won Nations League playing 2 matches.His stats were far from Messi's stat. Juve director can say whatever he wants, his opinion is obviously biaised. Cr7wasnt great last season, admit it. He reached the top 3 thanks to marketing, thats all.
titmoprt
54
Bernardo silva also did the same, won the quadruple with city and the league Cup wid portugal. All along he won the city player of the season and the euro league Cup player but still not in the list so don't u think it's unfair for him too and he's more creditable than ronaldo. leave all those issues and accept honour the decisions made.
Bacmnotyz
44
Now individual's performance have become the order of the day and disregarding winning trophies. Messi's individual performance was outstanding winning one traditional cup( la Liga) but failing decimally to inspire both Barcelona and the national team to finals in ucl and copa America respectively can not be considered.
fiyblmsuz
42
cr7 deserve to win, how come they give messi. 1 trophy Messi won last season la liga while cr7 italian super cups, serie a, UEFA national league. is not fair
Saubckrsz
40
FIFA is trying anything they can do to pull Ronaldo down but they can't pull him down instead he moving higher and higher and more success on his ways,,the strongest player in the world ,,the legend CR7