Cristiano Ronaldo could boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony following his spat with FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
Ronaldo has not commented on the rumors he will shun the prestigious ceremony that recognizes the best soccer player of the year.
Once again, 2013 sees Cristiano Ronaldo facing off against Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in the world.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has extended the voting, after he appeared to take sides in the eternal controversy over which of the two stars is the world’s best footballer.
It looks like this may be the year the Portuguese forward finally has an edge over the Argentine, after he scored a hat trick that helped Portugal beat the always strong Sweden on Tuesday in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The voting will go on until November 29, since the turnout has been low. International coaches, captains, and representatives of the international media cast votes to determine the best player.
The Ballon d’Or will be announced in Zurich in January.
It is widely believed that Cristiano Ronaldo will skip the ceremony on January 13, in effect snubbing Blatter for saying that Ronaldo “spends more time at the hairdresser .” Blatter made his provocative comment when he was asked to compare Renaldo to Messi, who has won the award three times.
Blatter has since apologized for his comments and said he meant no disrespect towards Ronaldo, whom he considers one of the best players in the world.
FIFA will announce the short list, with the three finalists to receive the Ballon d’Or nominations next month.
Cristiano Ronaldo has not made any efforts to quell the rumors he will miss the ceremony in Zurich, which has made the speculation grow.
Ronaldo was asked if his performance against Sweden was meant to make a point to Blatter:
“I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I think I have come to show what I am in the last years, scoring 40-50 goals every season, it is there for anyone to see and it reflects the player I am. Am I the best in the world? I am not obsessed with it. I try to do my work, both in the squad as the club and give answers on the pitch.”
Messi has won the three Ballon d’Or titles since the award’s inception in 2010, but with a hamstring injury that will sideline him until next year, it is likely Cristiano Ronaldo’s star will shine even brighter.
Now, if Ronaldo is awarded the Ballon, it is expected to be an uncomfortable situation, whether he shows up in Zurich or not.
Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo will snub FIFA and Blatter at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony?