Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro has taken a swipe at Lionel Messi after the Argentine won his 8th Ballon d’Or award in Paris on Monday, October 30, 2023.
Aveiro commented on a social media post berating the decision to award Lionel Messi 2023 Ballon d’Or.
As usual, Lionel Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or success divided the football community with some fans and pundits arguing Erling Haaland deserved the award more than the Argentine.
Katia Aveiro seemed to identify with the anti-Messi camp in the Ballon d’Or debate. Taking to her social media handle, the Portuguese popstar commented on a social media post celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievements hours after 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
In the post, Cristiano Ronaldo sat with all his trophies and major individual awards with a caption, ‘earned not given.’
Katia Aveiro registered her approval of the comment with a like and some clapping emojis obviously in support of his brother and long-time Messi rival, Ronaldo.
Her reaction to the post is more of a swipe on Lionel Messi as it comes few hours after the Argentine bagged the prestigious football award.
Aveiro has been a staunch fan and supporter of his brother Cristiano Ronaldo especially in dire career situations. She doesn’t hesitate to take onto social media to back the Portuguese star when the need arises.
When Cristiano Ronaldo fell out with Erik ten Hag while at Manchester United, Aveiro defended him and engaged critics who said Cristiano Ronaldo was Man United’s problems.
During 2022 World Cup, Aveiro took to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo asking him to leave the tournament after he was dropped by then Portugal coach Fernando Santos following a fallout.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or and it was the first time the Portuguese missed out on the nominees’ list since 2003.
He is the second player with most Ballon d’Or awards having won it five times, three less than Lionel Messi with the highest number of the award.
