I Never Said I Want To Retire With More Ballon d’Or Than Messi – Ronaldo Slams France Football Editor

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has denied saying that his only ambition is to “retire with more Ballon d’Or than Lionel Messi”.

Ronaldo made this known on Monday in a statement released on his Instagram page while reacting to a claim made by the editor of France Football, Pascal Ferré.

Ferré had in an interview with the New York Times claimed that the Portuguese told him his only one ambition in life is to retire with more Ballon d’Or than Messi.

However, Ronaldo has accused Ferré of falsehood during the interview, saying that the journalist was using his name for “clout”.

The statement reads: “Today’s outcome explains the comments by Pascal Ferré last week, when he stated that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Ballons d’Or than Lionel Messi.

“Pascal Ferré lied and used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication that he works for. It’s unacceptable for the person responsible for handing out such a prestigious award to lie in this way and to show disrespect to someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or. He lied again today to justify my absence from the ceremony due to an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.

“I always congratulate whoever wins, in tandem with the sportsmanship and fair play that have underpinned my career since the start and I do that because I’m never against anyone. I always win for myself and for the clubs that I represent. I win for myself and for those who love me. I don’t win against anyone.”

It added: “My biggest ambition in my career is to win trophies at club and international level, for the clubs that I play for and my national team. My biggest ambition in my career is to set a good example for everyone who is or wants to be a professional footballer. My biggest ambition in my career is to have my name written in gold in world football history.

“I’ll finish up by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United’s next game and everything that we can still achieve this season alongside my teammates and our fans. As for the rest, the rest is just that…”

This article was originally published on Naija News