Cristiano Ronaldo is not flying to Paris for the Ballon d'Or ceremony organized by France Football.

Just hours before the Ballon d'Or gala, it is reported in Portugal that Cristiano Ronaldo will not attend the award ceremony organized by France Football magazine. On Monday, Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepúlveda announced on social media that the Manchester United forward will stay at home.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will not be in Paris today for the Ballon d'Or ceremony," shared on his official account. So, was he a discard for the possible winner of the award? If we look back to the past, whenever the superstar did not attend these celebrations, it was because he did not appear among the favorites.

In fact, projections and leaks from the international press place Lionel Messi as the likely winner of the award. To make matters worse, 'CR7' would not even be on the podium, as other figures such as Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho, or Karim Benzema, his former teammate at Real Madrid, are fighting for those places.

Cristiano Ronaldo is vying for the Ballon d'Or after winning the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup while wearing the Juventus shirt. In the Champions League, he exited in the round of 16 with the Turin side, and in Serie A, they couldn't become champions. Furthermore, in the European Championship, despite being the tournament's top scorer alongside Czech player Patrik Schick, he was eliminated in the round of 16 against Belgium.

Meanwhile, since joining Manchester United, the goal scorer has been shining individually with important goals. Although collectively there is a huge debt that they hope to settle with the arrival of coach Ralf Rangnick, who will take over until the end of the European season.

As a reminder, Cristiano Ronaldo is the owner of a total of five Ballon d'Or trophies. In his first stint with Manchester United, the star won the award in 2008. He obtained the following recognitions during his time as a Real Madrid footballer in the years 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.

Jean-Pierre Papin, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1991. The Frenchman is surprised that Leo Messi appears as the main favorite just hours before the gala in Paris. Likewise, the World Cup player took the opportunity to remove Cristiano Ronaldo from that privileged position.

"He hasn't played for five months! I saw that we were talking about him, and I don't understand it. Let's also add Cristiano Ronaldo to this case," expressed an indignant Papin. Immediately after, the Champions League winner with Milan (1993-94) argued that the former Barcelona player has not shown his best version since arriving in France.