Cristiano Ronaldo was 'disrespected' during a Ballon d'Or ceremony after not showing up.
On Monday, the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced at the star-studded ceremony in Paris, France.
The likes of Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah and Raphinha are among the favourites to lift the prestigious trophy.
Over the years, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d'Or.
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Al Nassr star Ronaldo has won five, while Messi has lifted the golden trophy on eight occasions.
Back in 2021, Messi was named the winner of the Ballon d'Or, ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo finished in sixth place behind Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.
During the ceremony, a picture of Ronaldo and Didier Drogba in underwear for a Vanity Fair cover was shown on the big screen.
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As reported by The Daily Star, the picture 'prompted giggles from Messi, Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe'.
However, Drogba, who was presenting the show alongside French journalist Sandy Heribert, even asked "why" moments later.
In addition, fans of Ronaldo were quick to slam the decision to show the image.
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One fan said: "Unreal disrespect to show this during the ceremony. Even Drogba was asking why this was even shown."
Another commented: "It really is Ronaldo vs the world man the disrespect is alarming."
At the time, Ronaldo criticised France Football's editor-in-chief Pascal Ferre, who claimed that the Portuguese's only goal was to win more Ballon d'Ors than Messi.
Ronaldo wrote on social media: "Pascal Ferre 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.
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"And he lied again today by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist."
Ronaldo stated that he missed the event due to COVID-19 restrictions, not because he was not the winner.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Ballon d'Or
Marcus Chan