Injustice that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t win 2019 Ballon d’Or, claims Jorge Mendes

The former Real Madrid superstar did have an impressive season with Juventus but with Lionel Messi and Virgil Van Dijk playing football at another level, Ronaldo had little chance. However, the Portuguese superstar – a five-time Ballon d’Or winner – has struggled to get his hand on the award since his move to Italy with Luka Modric and Messi honoured since Ronaldo’s last win. That has changed the perspective around the former Manchester United star especially with Messi walking away with a record sixth Ballon d’Or.

But in an interview, Jorge Mendes went onto admitted that it was an injustice for Ronaldo not to have won the 2019 award, especially with the legend winning the Serie A and the UEFA Nations League. Mendes further added that if Ronaldo was still at Real Madrid he would have won the award at least two more times but they are now looking towards the future with the 2020 Ballon d'Or the aim.

"Cristiano deserved to win the Ballon d'Or at least once in the last two years. If he had played at Real Madrid, he would have won it, but next year I think he can win it again. For me, it is an injustice that Cristiano hasn't won the Ballon d'Or. He won the Nations League and he is a champion. But he knows what he should do and then we will see what happens in 2020," Mendes said reported Goal.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has enjoyed a rather illustrious career with him winning five Champions Leagues, the Premier League, a Serie A title and a La Liga title. Not only that, he’s also lead Portugal to their first Euro win at the Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League before the start of the 2019/20 season. This saw Mendes further admit that Ronaldo is the greatest player in the history of world football.

"Cristiano for me is the best player in the history of world football. Portugal before Cristiano had won nothing. With Cristiano, they have won the European Championship and Nations League, in 2004 they were a finalist in the European Championship too. He transformed world football. We are talking about Portugal, a small country that has changed a lot thanks to Cristiano,” he added.