The Manchester United superstar already has a stunning five Ballon d’Or awards to his name, but he is nowhere near done yet.
Pascal Ferre has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s plan to surpass Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or tally by the time he retires.
The editor-in-chief of France Football, the outlet hands that out the prestigious award each year, has claimed that Ronaldo has told him personally of the ‘only one ambition’ he has left in football.
“Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballon d’Or [awards] than Messi,” Ferre told the New York Times.
“I know because he has told me.”
As things stand, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or six times compared to Ronaldo’s five. France Football named both veteran players as nominees for the 2021 award in October.
The 2021 Ballon d'Or nominees are here 🏆
Who should win? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/DNB5zXTRBC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 8, 2021
The 2021 winner is still unknown
Despite rumors alleging that Messi is set for a seventh Ballon d’Or, Ferre insists the identity of this year’s winner remains a secret.
“This is my sixth year in charge of the event,” he added. “I have not made a mistake yet.
“I don’t want to lie [to those asking who the winner is]. But I tell them that I can’t share their name because the winners do not know yet, and it would not be right for them not to be the first to find out.”
Ronaldo returns to action on Sunday for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea in the Premier League. For match details and betting tips, check out the link here.