CNN reported that Ferret, the organizer of this year's Golden Globes and the editor-in-chief of French Football, was interviewed by The New York Times before this year's ceremony, saying that Cristiano Ronaldo had only one ambition, that is, to receive more awards than Messi when he retired.
At the awards ceremony in Paris, Messi won his record seventh Ballon d'Or
Ronaldo, who has been cold about the matter, posted a message on social media on Monday to dispute Ferre's claims. Ronaldo wrote: "Today's results explain why Pascal Ferre made a statement last week when he said I confided in him that my only ambition was to get more Ballon d'Or trophies than Leon Messi and thus end my career", "Frey lied, he used my name to promote himself and the publications in which he worked." "It is unacceptable that someone responsible for handing out such a prestigious award would lie in this way, which is an absolute disrespect to someone who has always respected French football and the Ballon d'Or". "He lied again today that I was absent from the award ceremony because of quarantine."
When CNN asked Frey to comment on the matter, its reporter was unable to reach Ferre.
The Ballon d'Or awards are voted for by 180 journalists and sports professionals and collected by The French Football magazine and awarded to the Best Male and Female Player of the Year. Cristiano Ronaldo is sixth this year, two awards behind Messi in terms of numbers. Meanwhile, it was the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo was outside the fiveth place.
Finally, reports say this year's awards have sparked controversy, with Robert Levandows more qualified to win the title than Messiki, who scored 53 goals this year, more than any player in Europe's five major leagues. Still others believe seventh-placed Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah deserves to be ahead of Ronaldo. Although his side did not win a trophy last season, Salah scored 22 league goals and has had a remarkable performance this year.