Carrick, Ramsey & more: Twitter reacts as Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or
Michael Carrick and Aaron Ramsey both tweet their thoughts as Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to the 2013 Ballon d'Or award
Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to the 2013 Ballon d’Or on Monday.
Portugal international Ronaldo, who scored 66 goals in 56 appearances for club and country last year, secured the accolade with 1,365 points, ahead of Messi with 1,205 and Ribery with 1,127.
Monday’s glitzy gala in Zurich inevitably prompted plenty of activity on Twitter – and here are our favourite updates following the Real Madrid star’s triumph, in chronological order.
Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas (@cesc4official) is ready: “Ready to see the #BallondOr ceremony!”
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) is looking forward to the ceremony: “Good luck to Messi, Ronaldo and Ribery in the Ballon d’Or. Has to be Ronaldo for me, 69 goals in 60 games in 2013 is crazy!”
Jerome Boateng (@JB17Official) wishes his Bayern team-mate all the best: “Good luck to Ribery #BallondOr2013 #Ribery”
Former United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy @RvN1776) jumps the gun before the announcement: “Congratulations in advance to @Cristiano Ronaldo for winning #BalonDeOro. #2013 #BestInTheWorld.”
Ronaldo’s ex-United team-mate Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) adds his tribute after the Real Madrid star’s win is confirmed: “Congratulations to @Cristiano for winning his 2nd #BallondOr and proud that he listened to my tips to improve his game…. Nice guy also!!”
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick (@carras16) chimes in: “Congratulations to @Cristiano on 2nd Ballon d’Or !!! The guy is a machine, phenomenal and full deserved #BallondOr”
England legend Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) defends the Portugal international: “To those saying @Cristiano won nada in 2013, I say, he scored in nearly every game he played and singlehandedly dragged Portugal to Brazil.”
QPR midfielder Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) feels the right choice has been made: “Ronaldo. Really had to be this time. Well done to him. Deserved. #BallondOr2013”
As does Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos): “Hard work, determination, motivation and talent. Congrats to my good friend @Cristiano. You deserve it crack..!!”
And finally, Norwich City’s Anthony Pilkington (@Pilkington_11) reckons Messi’s red-carpet attire let him down: “Messi didn’t deserve to win just because of that suit! Outrageous decision what was he thinking.”
