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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
ALEX YOUNG

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister launches angry rant at Virgil van Dijk over Ballon d'Or comments

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro launched an angry tirade at Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk following Monday evening's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Van Dijk lost out to Lionel Messi on the night, the Barcelona star winning the top prize for a record sixth time, as Ronaldo finished outside the top two for the first time in his career.

Ronaldo skipped the event, opting instead to stay in Italy to be named 'Best Player in Serie A' at the 2019 Gran Gala del Calcio gala.

Van Dijk was asked by Dutch TV about the absence of "rival" for the award Ronaldo, the Liverpool defender replied: "Was he a rival then?"

Katia responded by listing her brother's achievements, and Van Dijk's near-misses, on a football pitch in a lengthy rant on Instagram.

"Now, dear Virgil, where you are Cristiano Ronaldo has gone and has come a thousand times," she wrote.

"You see, my dear Virgil, Cristiano Ronaldo was a tri-champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven't got your hand [on a trophy]. Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and best scorer in the country where you play.

"Then, dear Virgil, Cristiano Ronaldo went elsewhere and became the greatest player in the history of [Real Madrid] ... they even beat you in the Champions League final. Ronaldo has won five of these, Virgil.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=6111233160001

"Ronaldo and his team-mates [then] crushed your 'Oranje' in the [Uefa Nations League] final. Was it hard, Virgil? We have pity.

"Dear Virgil, in one of the least successful times of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has won even more titles than you. Awesome, isn't it?

"Now, Virgil you will win titles [which] really count and then we'll talk. When you have a handful of them, the really important ones, you might be able to sit at the table with Cristiano."

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