Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, offered strong support to the Al-Nassr superstar. She left a comment on a social media post that appeared to indirectly question Lionel Messi‘s Ballon d’Or win from earlier this week.
The Argentine icon clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or award during the ceremony in Paris on Monday, further extending his record. This achievement came after an outstanding performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he played a crucial role in leading his national team to triumph.
Messi’s historic victory now places him three titles ahead of his enduring rival, Ronaldo, who last won the Ballon d’Or in 2017.
While numerous individuals applauded the 36-year-old for his outstanding accomplishment, certain critics contended that the award merely acknowledged his enduring contributions to the sport.
Katia Aveiro, aged 46, appeared to share this perspective when she reacted to a social media post that celebrated the achievements of the Portuguese superstar immediately following Monday’s awards ceremony.
The post, initially shared on Instagram, showcased the 38-year-old Ronaldo and highlighted his personal acolades, including three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards, four European Golden Shoes, and five Ballon d’Or trophies.
The image featured a caption that read, “Earned, not given,” which seemed to be a subtle reference to Messi, who has received at least two awards that sparked some debate in recent years.
Aveiro showed her support for the post by liking it and leaving a comment that included five clapping emojis, possibly to acknowledge her brother’s five Ballon d’Or victories or to emphasize her strong endorsement of the message.
This marks Katia’s latest involvement in the ongoing discussion between Ronaldo and Messi in today’s football scene.
Just last year, the Portuguese pop singer made a noteworthy statement on social media, where she described the World Cup as ‘the worst ever.’
Before that, Aveiro had urged Ronaldo to leave the World Cup and return to a place where he would be appreciated instead of facing ingratitude, particularly after he was kept on the bench during Portugal’s matches in the tournament.