Ronaldo’s ballon d’Or snub blamed on mafia

The Portuguese has failed to add a sixth Golden Ball to his collection in 2018, with former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric taking the prize

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Elma, has reacted angrily to her brother’s Ballon d’Or snub, with “the mafia” blamed for the Juventus star being overlooked in a bizarre rant.

The Portuguese had been hoping to land a sixth Golden Ball of his stunning career at a glitzy ceremony in Paris on Monday.

He was, however, to finish second in the vote behind former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric.

Ronaldo had already seen his FIFA Best Award passed to the Croatia international earlier this season, with the Ballon d’Or having now headed the same way.

Modric has enjoyed a memorable year, with a Champions League triumph at club level complemented by a run through to the World Cup final with his country.

Ronaldo, however, also helped Madrid to conquer Europe last season before netting four goals in Russia and completing a stunning €100 million (£89m/$114m) move to Juventus.

He is considered by many to still set the standard for individual excellence, with his family certainly of the opinion that he was deserving of another major award in France.

Elma Aveiro posted on Instagram: “Unfortunately this is the world we live in, rotten, with mafia and ****** money.

“The power of God is a lot greater than all this rottenness. God takes his time but he doesn’t fail.”