On social media, a scene involving Cristiano Ronaldo during yesterday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony has sparked debate, with some calling the on-stage ‘joke’ ‘disrespectful.’
The 36-year-old attacker, who scored 46 goals in 59 games for club and country last season, was absent from Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, where great rival Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star did not make France Football’s top three for the first time since 2010. Instead, Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho came in second and third, respectively, behind eventual winner Messi.
Ronaldo’s absence was a major talking topic during the game. In fact, France Football’s decision to publish a photo of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in a pair of briefs beside Didier Drogba during the event sparked even more discussion online.
