Cristiano Ronaldo remains ‘the best player in history’ despite losing out to Lionel Messi at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, his agent insists.
Jorge Mendes comments came in the wake of Barcelona star Messi has being crowned as the winner of the award for the world's best player for a record sixth time.
Ronaldo, 34, was not in attendance for the award ceremony in Paris on Monday night despite him finishing third on the podium – with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk ranked second.
“Cristiano is the best player in history, and you know it!” Mendes told reporters at the Gran Gala del Calcio, which is recognising the best players of last season in Italian football, as cited by our sister site Football Italia.
Ronaldo indeed did secure the award for being best player in Italy thanks to his 21-goal contribution and Scudetto success with Juventus last season – his first campaign with the Bianconeri.
The Portugal superstar won four of his five Ballon d’Or gongs between 2013 and 2017 – when he won each year except for 2015, when he was pipped by long-term rival Messi.
