Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet may start to feel the effects of his move to Juventus.
The Portuguese star failed to land the UEFA Player of the Year award. Luka Modric scooped the prize in Monaco on Thursday.
And Ronaldo isn’t a certainty to win ‘The Best’ and the Ballon d’Or awards.
Playing for Real Madrid holds plenty of weight when it comes to voting and there’s every chance that Ronaldo’s switch to Turin hurt him.
He received 223 votes, 90 fewer than Modric.
It continues a brilliant year for the midfielder, who guided Los Blancos to a third-straight Champions League title and inspired Croatia to the World Cup final.
Could the Ballon d’Or now follow? Not since Kaka in 2007 has a player other than Ronaldo or Lionel Messi won the coveted award, but Modric could break their duopoly.
RONALDO’S SISTER TAKES TO INSTAGRAM
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, reacted furiously to Modric claiming the main prize at UEFA’s ceremony on Thursday.
“It’s simply ridiculous, embarrassing even,” Mendes told Portuguese newspaper Record. “There’s no doubt who the winner should be.”
And Ronaldo’s sister has chimed in with a similarly salty reaction.
Cristiano’s sister downplaying Modric’s season because her brother didn’t win. Class runs in the family ? pic.twitter.com/DdhZt9JM4j
— Ryan (@LioneI10i) August 30, 2018
Katia Aveiro posted an image comparing Ronaldo and Modric’s stats in the Champions League last season on Instagram Stories.
Her message roughly translates to: “This!!!! Draw your own conclusions”.
Ronaldo didn’t attend the ceremony in Monaco and it seems to be clear as to why he was a no-show.
The 33-year-old lives for individual accolades and if he knew he wasn’t going to win the main prize, he may have thought his attendance wasn’t necessary.
There may be another reason, of course. He surely will have wanted to congratulate Modric on his award, and Sergio Ramos was also present.
And there was some silverware for Ronaldo to collect. He was named Champions League Forward of the Season.
It would be disappointing if the Juventus man was leaving his agent and his sister to do his talking.