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No FIFA Ballon d’Or for award nominee Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday, January 9

Angela Asante, January 8 2012,
Don’t expect Lionel Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, to lift the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award on the podium come Monday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2008.
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Málaga
Real Madrid
Related Articles: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Xavi, 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, Barcelona, Hugo Gatti, Málaga, Real Madrid
The truth is that the Real Madrid and Portugal star winger will not even attend the ceremony. Along with his manager, Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain in Spain to respect the club’s fixture list.

Real Madrid actually have a crucial match to play against Malaga in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night. Barcelona, meanwhile, will engage in cup action on Thursday. The timing of the awards night definitely doesn’t interfere with the schedule of FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees Xavi and Lionel Messi.

Speaking about Messi, he is the hot favorite to triumph on Monday night. The skill of the reigning Champions League, La Liga, Spanish Supercopa and FIFA Club World Cup champion is approved by millions of football fans around the globe.

Hugo Gatti, however, is apparently not amongst Messi’s mesmerized admirers. Earlier this week, the 67-year-old Argentine made a rather negative comment on countryman Lionel Messi. Refuting claims that La Pulga is world football’s best ever player, Hugo Gatti stated:

“The best player ever is without any doubt Pele. After that you have Alfredo [Di Stefano], [Johan] Cruyff, and Diego [Maradona].

“In those times, Messi would have been a substitute rather than a star. All of these Barcelona players who say they play for the best team in the world would have been bench-warmers in the times of Maradona and Cruyff.”

Barcelona dominate the FIFA Ballon d’Or award with Xavi and Lionel Messi in contention for the prize. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is among the three-man shortlist, is not expected to win the gong as pundits have tipped La Pulga to clinch his third consecutive Ballon d’Or.

Málaga vs Real Madrid

Date: Tuesday, 10 Jan 2012
Time: 16:00 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: Spain Copa del Rey
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Estadio La Rosaleda (Málaga)

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