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Cristiano Ronaldo claims 'numbers do not lie' after Luka Modric wins Ballon d'Or

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo was beaten to the award by former team-mate Luka Modric

Cristiano Ronaldo says he was disappointed not to win the Ballon d'Or and claimed the "numbers do not lie" after being beaten to the award by Luka Modric.

The 33-year-old, who joined Juventus in the summer for a fee in the region of £105m, finished second in the voting behind his former Real Madrid team-mate.

Ronaldo has won the award five times, the same as Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, and picked up the prize in 2016 and 2017.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus
Image: Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus in the summer

However, Modric was named this year's winner after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League last season and guiding Croatia to the World Cup final in the summer, but Ronaldo believes he deserved to win it for a sixth time.

"Of course I'm disappointed, but life goes on and I will continue to work hard," he told the Italian press.

Luka Modric has won the 2018 men's Ballon d'Or award
Image: Luka Modric won the 2018 men's Ballon d'Or award

"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.

"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.

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Modric also received the best men's player prize at the FIFA Best awards in September.

Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season for Juventus, bringing his career total to 584.

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