Lionel Messi admits “it hurt” when Cristiano Ronaldo joined him on five Ballon d’Or triumphs, with the Barcelona superstar claiming to understand the frustration of a rival who opted not to attend the 2019 ceremony.

Messi had dropped to fifth in the vote 12 months ago, while four years had passed since he was last recognised as the finest player on the planet.

In that time, Portuguese icon Ronaldo added another two Ballons d’Or to his collection, with a run of four wins in the space of five years taking the Juventus forward level with an eternal foe.

Messi admits he found it difficult to see Ronaldo claiming his fifth award and can appreciate why the Juventus star - who was in Milan to collect a Serie A Player of the Year prize on Monday rather Paris - will be experiencing similar emotions in the present.

“On the one hand, I enjoyed having five and being the only one,” Messi told France Football .

“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.

“Did I feel injustice? It's up to you to tell me if the Ballon d'Or is awarded to the best player or the one who enjoys the best season.

“It is also down to individual taste. Some prefer Cristiano, others myself or Neymar or [Kylian] Mbappe. People have the right to choose the one they like most.”

Ronaldo finished third in the 2019 vote, the first time he has dropped out of the top two since 2010.

Messi added on the emotions of a man who has helped him to take his own game to even greater heights: “Do I understand Ronaldo's frustration? It is something that we live, feel and express according to our own way of being.

“Once again, the collective titles are the most important thing, even if the individual trophies are rewarding.

“When the Ballon d'Or eludes you, everyone reacts in their own way. But when you are a top athlete, you always want to win.”

Messi finds himself back at the summit of the global game and intends to make the most of such a standing at 32 years of age.

“It is exceptional to win the Ballon d'Or four years in a row, and win another 10 years after the first, it puts into perspective the longevity of my career,” added the South American.

“It's hard to stay competitive for a decade. I was lucky to be able to do it.”

Source: https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-it-hurt-when-ronaldo-won-his-fifth-ballon-dor/jo9o8ow48ppq1xosllwkuxnrg

The nervousness was written all over him. He wanted the award so badly

He couldn't imagine a GOAT being compared with a hardworking sheep.

I'm glad he is now ahead and arguments have ended.

Messi with his current performance might win the next Ballon d' or

Not bad at all

Officialgarri:
The nervousness was written all over him. He wanted the award so badly

He couldn't imagine a GOAT being compared with a hardworking sheep.

I'm glad he is now ahead and arguments have ended.

Messi with his current performance might win the next Ballon d' or

goat and hard-working sheep got to me .. he bottled a 4-1 lead before, pray he doesn't bottle this one

uzoma213:
goat and hard-working sheep got to me .. he bottled a 4-1 lead before, pray he doesn't bottle this one

I pray he wins the next and the next and the next till his retirement.

I want to Ronaldo to hate him alot and cry everyday at the mention of Messi

I smell Messi will make it 10 before retirement

Officialgarri:


I pray he wins the next and the next and the next till his retirement.

I want to Ronaldo to hate him alot and cry everyday at the mention of Messi

hahahaha, oga calm down oo, I'm a Ronaldo fan. I pray he bottles this lead

Messi is always sincere, he loves saying the blunt truth

Messi beating people Messilessly

[s]

Officialgarri:


I pray he wins the next and the next and the next till his retirement.

I want to Ronaldo to hate him alot and cry everyday at the mention of Messi

[/s]

Smallboy01:
Messi is always sincere, he loves saying the blunt truth

I know someone who love saying things as it is, unfiltered and it is Ronaldo, he is mostly seen as arrogant for that

Modified: I made front page . Keep the likes coming

Smallboy01:
Messi is always sincere, he loves saying the blunt truth

but when ronaldo say the truth he is proud

[s]

Officialgarri:
The nervousness was written all over him. He wanted the award so badly

He couldn't imagine a GOAT being compared with a hardworking sheep.

I'm glad he is now ahead and arguments have ended.

Messi with his current performance might win the next Ballon d' or

[/s]

Madaraa1:



but when ronaldo say the truth he is proud

what truth? Tell me
when Ronaldo won his 5th ballon d'or he told the press that "I'M THE BEST PLAYER OF 20 YEARS"

Madaraa1:



but when ronaldo say the truth he is proud

don't mind them

Smallboy01:


what truth? Tell me
when Ronaldo won his 5th ballon d'or he told the press that "I'M THE BEST PLAYER OF 20 YEARS"

did he lie? He says what he believes, the only argument could be that a certain Lionel Messi is on par with him

I thought Messi fans said Messi doesn't do competitions??

uzoma213:
did he lie? He says what he believes, the only argument could be that a certain Lionel Messi is on par with him

stfu, how is he right, that arrogant bitch can't lace MESSI'S BOOT.

uzoma213:
did he lie? He says what he believes, the only argument could be that a certain Lionel Messi is on par with him

Yes, he's delusional. This is Messi admitting to Cristiano deserving the Balon d'or for some years and him not deserving it. Ronaldo can never do that, the dude thinks he should have won Balon D'or this year FFS, saying he deserves more Balon D'ors than Messi and what not.

As far as Ronaldo is probably concerned he deserves every Balon D'or since he started playing. When you cant acknowledge the greatness of your rivals and admit that you can sometimes be beaten, that's now being blunt, that's being delusional and arrogant


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-italy-juv-ronaldo/i-deserve-more-ballon-dor-awards-than-messi-says-ronaldo-idUSKBN1W30LN

[quote author=Smallboy01 post=84589648]

what truth? Tell me
when Ronaldo won his 5th ballon d'or he told the press that "I'M THE BEST PLAYER OF 20 YEARS"[/quot


and so what

True. But he still kept his head in the game and never stopped improving his game.
Now he is on top again. Truly deserved.

You too can improve on the look of your existing logo today for just 1k and as a bonus, get this season's greetings customized with your own logo and details. amazing right?

Send us a message with your logo today let's get started.

Stingy Messi

You should be, also would Ronaldo too..
No one loves to fail.

Honest Messi.. that why we like and prefer you anytime anyday

.

Is this a professional speech or a hate speech?

After Ronaldo was robbed of the title,you still got the gut to issue this type of press statement not minding the extent to which he will be affected psychologically...

Mr Messi,go and learn how to make a rival statement or has Ronaldo ever made such statement before to you?

Messi everyone knows you're the best

Why won't he be hurt, when they decide to give award to agbalumo (penaldo) instead of strawberry (messi)

The only reason penaldo equalled him is the champion league madrid won 3 times consecutively, Messi has always been a better player

U really deserve all the AWARDS.
The MESSI AH of Soccer.
U have been cheated for too long

I too like Messi. Too much sense will not kill him.
When both of them were on their peak, Ronaldo was just unnecessarily making noice, making Messi leave up to the competition by fighting even after the end. Now Messi knows that Ronaldo cannot compete with him again and he has started making his own mouth, Ronaldo will just be wallowing in deep frustration now and still cant do nothing as age has abandoned him.

Na