'The Numbers Don't Deceive': Cristiano Ronaldo Claims Ballon D'or and FIFA The Best Awards Losing Credibility

Out of Europe, but never out of the limelight. Cristiano Ronaldo sparked controversy when the Al-Nassr superstar expressed his belief that the credibility of the Ballon D’Or and FIFA’s The Best awards was diminishing.

“I think that, in a way these awards are losing credibility. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the numbers are there and the numbers don’t deceive. You have to consider the entire season,” Ronaldo said to Record.

Ronaldo exclaimed that his dramatic exit from Manchester United earlier last year was held up as a blemish in his record and also stated that if one had to go by ‘the numbers’ he deserved to win both.

“The numbers are facts. If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost… But the truth is that I focused and had a great period at Al Nassr, that’s why I scored 54 goals,” he added.

One more thing to keep in mind is that this is not the first time Ronaldo has taken a dig at Lionel Messi. Recently, the Portuguese striker, who received three awards at the Dubai Globe Scoccer Awards, also claimed that the Saudi Pro League was better than Ligue 1, where Messi was plying his trade with PSG.

“The level right now, to be honest, I think the Saudi League is not worse than the French League, in my opinion,” Ronaldo said.

“In the French league, there are two or three teams at a good level,” he continued.

“In Saudi Arabia, I find it’s more competitive, they can say what they want, it’s my opinion, I’ve played here for a year so I know what I’m saying,” the 38-year-old added.

“But I think right now we are better than the French League,” Ronaldo said at the award function.

Well, the truth is that Ronaldo will have a chance to walk the walk as Al Nassr are slated to face off against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on February 1.