"I have one already in my museum” - When Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Mohamed Salah beating him for 2018 Puskas Award
Cristiano Ronaldo's Instagram live from 2018, where he spoke about Mohamed Salah winning the Puskas Award and Luka Modric winning the Ballon d'Or, has gone viral. He congratulated both players and admitted that they deserved their respective awards.
In an Instagram live session, Ronaldo calmed his fans, who were furious about Salah winning the Puskas Award over the former Real Madrid star. He also reminded them that he already had one in his museum.
"Any message on the Puskas goal? Come on, it's okay. No problem. I have one already in my museum. [Mohamed] Salah deserved [as] it was a good goal. And congrats to Modric to win [the Ballon d'Or]. Very good!" the Portuguese said.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo did express disappointment at not winning the Ballon d'Or in 2018. He told the Italian press after his move to Juventus that he would not cry about it, but believed he should have won considering his numbers that season. He said (via Sky Sports):
"Of course, I'm disappointed, but life goes on, and I will continue to work hard. On the pitch I've done everything to win the Ballon d'Or, numbers do not lie, but I'm no less happy if I do not win, I have wonderful friends and a family, I play in one of the best clubs. Congratulations to Modric, who has earned the award, but next year we will meet again and I will do everything to win the prize again. Do you think I'm going home and crying?"
Luka Modric won the 2018 Ballon d'Or after helping Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League in Cristiano Ronaldo's final season with the club. The Croatian got the edge over the Portuguese superstar after playing a key role in his country's run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
When Cristiano Ronaldo claimed his goal was better than Mohamed Salah's in 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo was not happy that his overhead kick against Juventus was overlooked for the Puskas Award in 2018. However, he did not want to take the shine away from Mohamed Salah and claimed that the Egyptian deserved the award. Ronaldo said shortly after the Ballon d'Or ceremony that year (via GOAL):
"Salah deserved to win the Puskas Prize, he scored a nice goal. But let's be honest, do not lie to us, my goal was the most beautiful. I'm not disappointed, it's life, sometimes we win and others lose. What interests me is that in fifteen years of career I managed to maintain the same level of performance."
Gareth Bale's goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool was also overlooked despite making the shortlist. Interestingly, Salah's goal against Everton won the Puskas Award despite not winning the Premier League Goal of the Month that year. That went to Jermain Defoe for his strike against Crystal Palace.
