Juventus Gm Says Ronaldo Deserves The UEFA Award More Than Modric

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta has explained Cristiano Ronaldo absence from the UEFA awards ceremony, according to report in Sky Sport Italia.

According to Beppe remarks, Ronaldo deserves to be the UEFA player of the year not Modric.

Beppe Marotta

On Thursday, the 32-year-old ,Luka Modric, emerged winner of the award after amassing a total of 313 points, 90 more than Ronaldo who finished ahead of Mohammed Salah in the chart. 

Beppe also said , "It was a personal decision that he took today, and we want to respect it. From our side, we are very disappointed about this decision [to award Modric]. I say this as a director since this award is for the Champions League and not the World Cup, and Ronaldo gifted some great emotions in this competition. I don't take anything away from the decision of the journalists and coaches, but I would have voted Ronaldo," Marotta said to  Sky Sport Italia.

"The fact he did not come is a decision that has to be respected. It was a personal choice and nothing to do with the decision [to award Modric]."

Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes was also not happy with the UEFA decision to give the award to Modric and in his statement he said "ridiculous and shameful", claiming that the Portuguese forward was more than deserving of the award.

"Football is played on the field and that's where Cristiano won. He scored 15 goals, carried Real Madrid on his back and conquered the Champions League again. It's ridiculous, shameful. The winner is not in doubt, as Ronaldo is the best in his position."

Ronaldo scored 15 goals Champions League goals, the most by a single player in the last campaign.