Cristiano Ronaldo said on Instagram after Lionel Messi won an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday night, while Messi was captain of Inter Miami. However, the five-time champion Ronaldo did not take to social media to offer his great opponent his congratulations. 

Instead, the 38-year-old liked and posted a remark on a video that featured Tomas Roncero of Diario AS arguing that his fellow journalists had been incorrect to vote for Messi. 

Roncero claimed that only five of Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or awards were merited, and that Erling Haaland deserved to win in 2023.

Howdy pals. What we knew has happened. In the video, Roncero is heard saying, “They were going to give another Ballon d’Or to Messi.” 

To get ready for the World Cup, he looked like he had retired before leaving PSG for Miami. He won the World Cup, yes, nicely, but with 6 penalties in their favor. “Ten months have passed since the World Cup, and now it is November. 

Messi has eight Ballon d’Ors. Well, he has [Andres] Iniesta’s and Xavi’s Ballon d’Ors, [Robert] Lewandowski’s six trophies from a single season, and Haaland’s best scorer honors from across the board, so he should have five. Ronaldo, the 38-year-old captain of Al Nassr, responded to the video with four laughing emojis. 

Ronaldo last won the Ballon d’Or in 2017, having also claimed the accolade in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.