Cristiano Ronaldo is Only the 12th Best Player in the World, Says Barcelona President Rosell

Jun 20, 2012 01:13 AM EDT

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has mocked at Cristiano Ronaldo's claims of wanting to be crowned the world's player of the year, by saying he is not even good enough to be in Barca's first XI.

Ronaldo guided Real Madrid to the La Liga title this season and hoped he would win the award, with Real coach Jose Mourinho also claiming his forward deserved it, as Lionel Messi's goals had not helped Barca to the title.

Ronaldo further increased his chances of winning the award, he has lost to Messi over the past three years, by putting up a sparkling performance for Portugal in their final group game against the Netherlands in Euro 2012.

Rosell insisted there should not be any doubt about Messi winning his fourth-straight Ballon d'Or while saying Ronaldo was only the 12th best player in the world.

"Cristiano Ronaldo isn't the second best player in the world, he is the 12th. The first 11 are Barca players," Rosell was quoted as saying in Spanish newspaper AS.

"Outside of Spain everyone is clear that Messi ought to win the Ballon d'Or but not here."

Rosell also took a dig at Mourinho, hinting he would never appoint the Portuguese at Barca. Mourinho had an altercation with new Barca coach Tito Villanova in last year's Supercopa, when the Portuguese coach seemed to poke Villanova in the eye.

"I wouldn't accept a coach who wants to win at any cost," Rosell said.

"I would ask for forgiveness if a coach put his finger in the eye of another."

Get the Most Popular Stories in a Weekly Newsletter
Array

Join the Conversation

  • Get Connected
  • Share
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • @sportswr
  • Recommend on Google
Real Time Analytics