Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his FIFA The Best Men's Player 2016 award while Lionel Messi snubbed the gala, and the Portuguese could not resist taunting his longstanding rival.
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The Portuguese won The Best Men's Player 2016 award – the predecessor of the FIFA World Player of the Year – on Monday evening in Zurich, Switzerland.
While Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann and the other players of the FIFA FIFPro World XI attended the awards gala, Messi and his FC Barcelona teammates did not travel to Zurich.
A club statement had announced that their players – Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta also made the World XI – would not attend in order to focus on their Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Bilbao, who won the first leg 2-1, on Wednesday.
Ronaldo, who himself did not appear at the FIFA awards ceremony in 2012 for a similar reason, had a sly dig at the absentees during his acceptance speech.
"I'm just very happy. I'm sorry some people from Barcelona aren't here, but that's understandable," he said, as quoted by Daily Mail.
The 31-year-old also praised his teammates, coaches and family for helping him achieve his dreams in 2016.
"This achievement is incredible on a personal level. Unbelievable, I will never forget this year. I am very happy," Ronaldo added.
"Thank you everyone, I don't really have anything else to add. The awards I think speak for themselves.
"It's incredible, it's not the first time but it's the first of this.
"First and foremost I must thank my teammates of Real Madrid and the coach. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
"I've also got to thank my family, my brothers, my mum, my whole staff 100% for everything they've given me.
"2016 was the best year of my career. I had a lot of doubts but at the end I think the trophies speak for themselves.
"I achieved the best I could in the competitions and after I won what I did."
Read: FIFA Announce 2016 World Team Of The Year
After picking up his fourth FIFA best player award, Ronaldo is now only one short of record-holder Lionel Messi, who has lifted the prestigious accolade five times.
Do you think Messi and the Barca stars should have respected the FIFA awards ceremony? Have your say in the comments section below.
