Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Juventus, Serie A
The Portuguese superstar was a no-show for France Football's award ceremony on Monday but for a good reason.

It's no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo was a no-show during yesterday's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Lionel Messi and Virgil Van Dijk were in attendance, with Barcelona's Argentine superstar winning the prize for a record-breaking sixth time.

He moved one clear of Ronaldo, who boasts five wins. So what was the Juventus superstar doing while Leo collected the Ballon d'Or? The 34-year-old's absence from France Football's ceremony was not merely a snub in response to missing out on the prize as some on social media would have you think, as Cristiano was in Milan to collect two individual awards of his own.

Serie A's Gala del Calcio, the Italian top-flight's award ceremony, was oddly held on the same night as the Ballon d'Or. With Cristiano winning two accolades, he made the obvious decision to attend the event in Milan.

The Bianconeri ace was the recipient of the Serie A best forward and MVP gongs for the 2018/19 season in which he guided the Old Lady to the Scudetto. However, Ronaldo raised some eyebrows with his entrance for Monday's award ceremony.

Despite arriving an hour before the main award was announced, the former Real Madrid attacker waited outside in his car until the time came for him to go on stage to collect his prizes. Furthermore, as per beIN Sports correspondent Tancredi Palmeri, Cristiano's bodyguards pointed torchlights at cameras as the player made his way into the theater. 

Ronaldo, who was also named in the Team of the Season, made sure to thank his Juventus team-mates during his speech. He said: "It's an honor to hold this award.

"I thank my Juventus teammates. I'm very happy to play in Italy, it's a very difficult league. Thanks to everyone for having voted for me. I want to do as well this year, too."

The 34-year-old should be back in action this weekend, with Sarri's side taking on Lazio on Saturday. Cristiano, who boasts a respectable tally of six goals in 11 Serie A appearances this term, will be gunning for a win after losing the lead to Inter Milan after the 2-2 draw with Sassuolo.