Speaking to the media at the Globe Soccer Awards last year, Ronaldo took shots at the Ballon d’Or award and hinted that he should have won it. He said that the numbers showed he was better than everyone in 2023:

“I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility. We have to analyse the entire season. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe. I simply no longer believe in these awards.

“And it’s not because I won at Globe Soccer. But there are facts. There are numbers. And the numbers don’t deceive. They can’t take this trophy away from me because it’s a reality. So it makes me even happier because the numbers are facts.”

He added:

“We know how other organisms work. Obviously, I always think about my club and the national team first. The awards come after a good season for the club and the national team. I don’t think about it much, honestly.

“As you said, well, the 54 goals I scored (in 2023), there may be those who say it’s easier because I’m in Saudi Arabia. But football professionals know that it is difficult to score goals, whether in Saudi Arabia or in Italy, Spain or Portugal. A goal is a goal. In a way, I feel even more proud to have beaten Haaland, Mbappe and (Harry) Kane.”

Lionel Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2023, while Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe finished right behind him. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t get into the top-30.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated Ballon d’Or for over a decade

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been on top of their games for nearly two decades. They have collected all the laurels and dominated the Ballon d’Or stage too.

The Portuguese star has won the France Football award five times. His last one came in 2017, tying with Messi. However, Messi has gone on to win the award another three times.

Between 2008 and 2017, the duo won the award 10 times between them, five by each player.