Cristiano Ronaldo responds after being excluded from the list of the 10 Best Players of 2023 – Lionel Messi was included
CR7 is not among the 10 best players of 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo has been surprisingly excluded from the list of 10 Best Football Players in 2023 prepared by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). Erling Haaland was named as the Best Player following Manchester City’s historic treble win.
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The two heavyweights who clashed at the 2022 World Cup final, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi finished second and third respectively. Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Bernardo Silva, Vini Jr, and Lautaro Martinez made up the bulk of the rankings that remained.
CR7 is not among the 10 best players of 2023
This list looks accurate for the most part but some picks may incite a debate. And when you have a list that doesn’t include the Portuguese powerhouse Cristiano Ronaldo, then you’re in for a serious back-and-forth. Let us take a look at how Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer responded.
Ronaldo’s Response
The Portuguese showcased his disappointment by ironically posting laughing emojis on a post related to IFFHS rankings. Was this discontent related to Messi or was it a tacit form of protest for not being included in the list despite scoring a staggering 53 goals in 2023, finishing as the Top Scorer?
Perhaps the question might remain unanswered from a Third person’s perspective. However, it does raise objections towards the list’s probable bias.
After failing to make it into the top 30 of the 2023 Ballon D’or rankings, it makes us ponder over a reality that draws ever closer: Is Cristiano Ronaldo done?
End of an Era?
With Messi having moved to Inter Miami and Ronaldo enjoying life with Al Nassr in the Saudi League, I think it’s safe to say that we’re sitting through the last few episodes of football’s most beautiful period. In an interview, Inter Miami’s talisman had this to say:
“I think it was a very beautiful period for us and for those who love football in general. What we have done all this time is very appreciable because as they say it is easy to reach the top but difficult to stay.
“Athletically, he was very good and I think we both benefitted from each other because we are both very competitive and he also always wants to win over everyone and everything.
“We stayed at the top for 10 or 15 years, I’m not sure how many, and it was very difficult. It was very difficult to continue at this level and I think it was a great thing and a beautiful memory for everyone who enjoys football.”
What does 2024 Hold for Ronaldo?
2023 was a mixed cocktail for Cristiano Ronaldo as he ended the year being the top scorer but wasn’t acknowledged by any of the big organizations for his performances in the said year. So is there something good in store for the year ahead?
Al Nassr is doing well in the League, already in contention for the title and in the AFC Champions League, they look to be the favorites. Ronaldo could make a very strong case for himself as a Ballon D’or nominee provided that he bags these two trophies.
Not to forget, we are also just a few months away from Euro 2024. His Portugal side did the unthinkable by winning the same competition back in 2016 with a late winner from Eder that gave Ronaldo his first taste of silverware with the National Team.
If the maroon shirts can repeat their magic from 2016 and Ronaldo bags yet another big trophy this year, chances are, he’d be one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or and minimize the deficit with his arch-rival, Leo Messi.
Is Ronaldo Finished?
Granted that he plays in the Saudi League and is far from the player he once was, for many of us fans, he’s in his last stage.
But knowing the machine he is, the Portuguese isn’t ready to back out from challenges just yet as he still believes he has unfinished business to take care of!
Having scored 53 goals and provided 13 assists in 58 games this year is a positive reflection of his resilience. However, one may argue that he’s playing in a league too easy for him.
There’s an element of truth in that statement as the Saudi League is relatively easier than the Premier League or La Liga. However, other big names such as Karim Benzema, Neymar and Roberto Firmino, and Riyad Mahrez haven’t even come close to matching Ronaldo’s trajectory.
So is our judgment of Football’s finest and one of all-time greats a little too harsh? Whatever it may be, it’s safe to say that he is far from finished.
