Cristiano Ronaldo hits back at claims about surpassing Lionel Messi in Instagram post

Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at a disrespectful claim that his only remaining ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or more times than Lionel Messi.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi won the prestigious award for a seventh time on Monday. Ronaldo, who finished sixth in this year's voting, has earned the Ballon d'Or five times. The Ballon d'Or, given to the best male and female footballers of the year, is voted on by 180 journalists and presented by France Football.

Pascal Ferre, the editor in chief of France Football, was quoted in the New York Times recently saying Ronaldo told him his primary motivation was to retire having won the accolade more often than his old rival Messi. Ronaldo, 36, took to Instagram to deny that suggestion.

"Today's outcome explains Pascal Ferre's statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Ballon d'Ors than Lionel Messi," Ronaldo wrote. "Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for."

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