Lionel Messi Admits to Feeling Hurt When Cristiano Ronaldo Won the Ballon d’Or in 2017
Barcelona star Lionel Messi admitted to feeling hurt after Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2017 and tied him with five Ballon d’Ors. The Argentine won his sixth Ballon d’Or award last night to go one ahead of the Portuguese.
The Argentine star stated that he enjoyed the fact that he was the only with five Ballon d’Ors and was hurt when Ronaldo reached that summit. He, however, understood why Ronaldo won most of the awards in the last few years since he was winning the Champions League with Real Madrid while the Catalans were failing to do so.
“On the one hand, I enjoyed having five and being the only one,” Messi said, as per Goal.
“When Cristiano moved level, I admit that it hurt me a bit. I was no longer alone at the top. But it made sense, although it was good when I was alone at five. Was I frustrated in the last few years? Let's say I understood why I did not win.
“As a team, we had not achieved our major goal, which was to win the Champions League, which gives you more chances to win the Ballon d'Or. When Cristiano Ronaldo won it is because he had achieved great seasons by winning the Champions League and being decisive. It was deserved, there was not much I could do."