Ballon d'Or News: Ronaldo Blasts Editor Who Made Bold Claim About Him And Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo is not letting the media hype his rivalry with Lionel Messi in a negative way.

Messi has copped his seventh Ballon d’Or award after winning the most prestigious individual recognition in the sport for the second year in a row.

Barring Luka Modric in 2018, the Ballon d’Or award has only been handed to Messi and Ronaldo since 2008.

The Portuguese has won the award five times but still trails behind the Argentine by two.

Ahead of the official announcement this year, France Football editor-in-chief Pascal Ferre added flavor to the rivalry and claimed Ronaldo has told him that his only goal is “to retire with more Ballon d'Or than Messi,” via DAZN.

Shortly after Messi was declared winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or title, Ronaldo lashed out on Ferre in a lengthy Instagram post.

According to Ronaldo, Ferre “lied” about everything as his “biggest ambition” is not to exceed anybody individually but to win as many titles as he can and serve as a “good example” to all aspiring professional football players.

"Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferré's statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi," Ronaldo began."Pascal Ferré lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for. It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d'Or. And he lied again today when justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.”

"I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I'm never against anyone,” he continued. “I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent, I win for myself and for those who love me. I don't win against anyone.”

Ronaldo added, "The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country. The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers. The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football.”

Both men made headlines this year as subjects of shocking transfer news. Messi surprised the world of football when he switched to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after difficulties re-signing for Barcelona, while Ronaldo moved on from Juventus to return to Manchester United.