![[Throwback]: Ronaldo reacts after losing Puskas award to Salah and Ballon d'Or to Modric](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/14062025/7da8e487-9f27-43b4-b4b1-4d7e24176cfb.webp?operations=fit(480:))
A 2018 Cristiano Ronaldo Instagram live session has resurfaced.
A resurfaced Instagram live session from Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 has gone viral, reigniting discussions around Mohamed Salah’s Puskas Award triumph and Luka Modric’s controversial Ballon d’Or win that year.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner addressed fan frustration at the time with surprising humility, while also subtly reminding the world of his own incredible achievements.
In the viral clip, Ronaldo appeared calm and composed, congratulating both Salah and Modric for their accolades.
Responding to fans upset that his stunning overhead kick against Juventus was overlooked for the 2018 Puskas Award, Ronaldo simply smiled and said, “Any message on the Puskas goal? Come on, it's okay. No problem. I have one already in my museum. [Mohamed] Salah deserved [as] it was a good goal. And congrats to Modric to win [the Ballon d'Or]. Very good!”
Salah won the 2018 FIFA Puskas Award for his curling strike against Everton, a decision that surprised many as it did not even win the Premier League Goal of the Month that year, which went to Jermain Defoe.
Despite the gracious message, Ronaldo had also expressed disappointment publicly after Luka Modric beat him to the Ballon d’Or, ending his decade-long dominance alongside Lionel Messi. Speaking to Italian media after his transfer to Juventus.
Ronaldo said, “Of course, I'm disappointed, but life goes on, and I will continue to work hard. On the pitch I've done everything to win the Ballon d'Or, numbers do not lie. But I'm no less happy if I do not win — I have wonderful friends and a family, I play in one of the best clubs.”
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He continued, “Congratulations to Modric, who has earned the award. But next year we will meet again and I will do everything to win the prize again. Do you think I'm going home and crying?”
2018 was a landmark year in football. Ronaldo had just won his fifth UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid, scoring 15 goals in the campaign, before making a blockbuster move to Juventus.
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However, it was Modric who caught the eye of voters after guiding Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final and anchoring Real Madrid’s midfield throughout the Champions League-winning campaign.
Modric’s Ballon d'Or win ended a ten-year duopoly between Ronaldo and Messi. It also sparked debates about the criteria used in voting, as Ronaldo had outscored and outshone many of his peers statistically.
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