Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have many things in common as they created illustrious careers together, including winning multiple Golden Ball awards, and it’s surprising that they don’t have any Balls left in their personal trophy cabinets. what gold…
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also have a habit of giving away all their Golden Balls for different reasons. Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or last year after winning the World Cup, helping bring the title to Paris Saint-Germain and making a big impact in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Ronaldo won his fifth and final Ballon d’Or in 2017, but like Messi, he doesn’t keep any balls in his personal trophy cabinet. Instead, the two former superstars Barcelona and Real Madrid presented all 13 Golden Balls they won.
All eight of Messi’s trophies reside in Barcelona’s museum at Camp Nou, including the last one he won while playing for Inter Miami. Messi’s actions clearly show his respect and appreciation for the club’s role in its glorious journey.
Four of Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Ors are also on display in the museum, but in his personal museum on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Instead of being a memento of a club’s history, Ronaldo’s trophies were given in honor of the island where he was born and raised. However, Ronaldo decided to donate his 2013 trophy to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children affected by serious or life-threatening illnesses.
Ronaldo’s second Ballon d’Or was then auctioned in London in 2017 and went to Israel’s richest man and co-owner of Atletico Madrid, Idan Ofer, when he spent £513,000 to own a piece of history football.
Although Real Madrid did not win La Liga or the Champions League that season, Ronaldo surpassed Messi and Franck Ribery to win the award with 28% of the votes. The Portuguese star, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, was at the peak of his powers at the time, scoring 55 goals in 55 matches in all competitions during the 2012-13 season.
With Messi and Ronaldo leaving European football to play in the US and Saudi Arabia at the end of their careers, it is highly unlikely that either of them will win the Ballon d’Or again.
Messi, 36, enjoyed the moment of receiving his eighth career award in October. “I’m happy to be here again, to enjoy this moment again. To be able to win the World Cup and truly achieve my dream, I want to share this with everyone who participated.”
“These awards are all special, most especially the team award. Being recognized is always special. I couldn’t have dreamed of having the career I have now, everything I’ve achieved.
“To be able to have the career I’ve had and enjoy football as much as I have. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to go, but I tend to enjoy it. As long as I’m physically able and can compete, I will continue my work.”
