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Cristiano Ronaldo missed the Ballon d'Or ceremony for the first time since 2003

Posted : 31 October 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the Ballon d'Or ceremony was notable, marking the first time he wasn't nominated since 2003. In the end, his long-standing rival, Leo Messi, secured his eighth Ballon d'Or, with Erling Haaland in second place and Kylian Mbappe in third.
 
Ronaldo wasn't the only star to skip the prestigious event in France, as Karim Benzema, the previous season's winner, finished 16th, and Robert Lewandowski came in 12th. The highest-ranked absentee was Kevin De Bruyne at fourth place, followed by Napoli striker Victor Osimhen at eighth. Other notable names missing included Luka Modric at 10th, Mohamed Salah at 11th, and Harry Kane at 19th, who was focused on his preparations for Bayern Munich's cup match. Pep Guardiola, the manager of treble-winning Manchester City, also did not attend the ceremony.
 
Despite the notable absences, Messi seemed unfazed by the circumstances. David Beckham, the owner of Inter Miami, presented him with the award, and Messi's three sons joined him on stage, while his wife Antonella watched from the stands with a radiant smile.
 
At 36, Messi acknowledged that this could be his last Ballon d'Or victory. He paid tribute to the second-placed Holland, recognizing his achievements and predicting his future success. He also addressed Mbappe, his former teammate, and praised his immense talent, indicating that they would likely see both of them as Ballon d'Or winners in the near future.
 
Messi's win coincided with the birthday of Diego Maradona, who passed away three years ago. Messi expressed his gratitude to those who played a crucial role in his career, dedicating the award to the Argentine national team, emphasizing their victory in the World Cup. He also paid homage to Maradona, stating, "Where you are, it's also for you," and congratulated the legendary figure.

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