The Juventus forward missed out on winning the prize for the sixth time this year as he finished second to former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric
Cristiano Ronaldo is convinced he should have won this year's Ballon d'Or, rather than finishing as runner-up to ex-Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric.
Modric ended Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi's decade-long dominance of the prestigious award when he claimed the prize after winning a third successive Champions League title with Madrid and helping Croatia reach the World Cup final.
However, Juventus forward Ronaldo, who was also part of Madrid's Champions League-winning team, felt his Ballon d'Or case was even stronger.
He has scored 45 goals in 48 games for club and country so far in 2018 and in April he broke the record for scoring in the most consecutive Champions League games when he found the net for an 11th match in a row.
"I think I deserve [to win the Ballon d'Or] every year," Ronaldo said in an interview with Italian newspapers.
"I work for that, but if I do not win, it's not the end of the world.
"The numbers do not lie, but do not think that I'm less happy if I do not win.
"I have fantastic friends and I have family, I play in one of the best clubs, do you think I'll go home and cry?
"[I am] disappointed but life goes on and I will still work hard.
"Congratulations to Modric, he deserves it, but next year we will see each other again and I will do everything to be still there."
Ronaldo has made a good start to potentially claiming the 2019 award, with his 10 Serie A goals helping new club Juve open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table in Italy.
They have also reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League with a game to spare while on the international scene he has the chance of silverware after Portugal reached the Nations League semi-finals despite their talisman opting out of the group stage matches.
Bobhelsing
348
Deserve the Balon dor for just winning the ucl... someone who won both Ucl and world cup is not even complaining.... and what numbers is he even talking about....if Balon dor is based on individual performance for a calendar year, then Messi would have 11th balon dor now....if it's by numbers Ronaldo don't come close to Messi...Messi has more goals, more assist, more freekicks, more key passes, more chances created...
Longlife2000
296
True Story...😌
Longlife2000
281
Just love everything about this man❤❤
Ronaldistaviva007
252
stats don't lie
Jalalkhan2009
191
It's completely OK to be a fan of Messi and Ronaldo. It's the best thing to do because both of them are phenomenal in their own way. One is a prolific goalscorer while other is a fantastic playmaker, dribbler Sometimes the fans go on to disrespect either of them just to satisfy their choices and this makes football lose it's meaning. We must understand no matter who we support, but they both are the players who have brought a revolution in modern day football and have inspired the others to follow and play the same. Being fans of both at the same time is the 'BEST' thing to do and this is how you can make football great as a sport😍❤❤
RealMd13
183
Luka modric: 1 ⚽️ goal 1 assist 🎯 7 key 🔑passes 8 chances created 91 pass completion 12 successful take ons 1 ariel duels won 44% total duels% 1 block 3 clearances Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 ⚽️ goals 3 assists 🎯 11 key 🔑 passes 14 chances created 81% pass completion 20 successful take ons 20 ariel duels won 60% total duels% 2 blocks 7 clearances! CR7 SHOULD HAVE WON THE UEFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR CUZ LIKE HE SAID NUMBERS DONT LIE 💔💔
kartik1000
177
yes you are the goat an you will be the goat for the century. You and Messi are the goat and will be the goat you are the last superstar of the century and you are the best and will be best. And Cristiano you deserved the balloon dor exactly
Vijayesh
153
leo is the most humble player I've ever seen. opposite of Sergio ramos. don't know about Ronaldo.
Nigeria9372772
151
There is always this temptation to say Ronaldo is proud but he pushes himself to do better by what he says. He has been quite outstanding but there is always a time to take a bow. Over the last ten years, he has been the main issue in football. His move to Juventus almost took the shine off the world cup. No doubt football history is incomplete without him.
tropicalda
144
It's completely OK to be a fan of Messi and Ronaldo. It's the best thing to do because both of them are phenomenal in their own way. One is a prolific goalscorer while other is a fantastic playmaker, dribbler Sometimes the fans go on to disrespect either of them just to satisfy their choices and this makes football lose it's meaning. We must understand no matter who we support, but they both are the players who have brought a revolution in modern day football and have inspired the others to follow and play the same. Being fans of both at the same time is the 'BEST' thing to do and this is how you can make football great as a sport
Jegele
67
It is good to cherish and to love what you do for a living .... Ronaldo’s comments aren’t bad but he should understand that it is people ( football fans lovers coaches journalists )etc.. that picks and that can identify who the best player is based on their individual and collective performance for their respective clubs and country. Modric deserves to win the prestigious price too for his performance in last season league and world cup . So I think CR7 should not see himself as the best in every season cuz other players too have every right to say such like the likes of Anthonio Griezman Mbappe Messi . Wishing the best footballers who bring joy and respect into the sporting world of football a good luck and a injury free season 2019/20 .