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Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo receives his lowest Ballon d’Or ranking for 17 YEARS as five-time winner finishes in 20th place… while PSG’s Lionel Messi isn’t even on the shortlist

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Cristiano Ronaldo has received his lowest Ballon d’Or ranking for 17 years.

The Manchester United star finished in 20th place, which is the same position in which he finished in 2005.

Ronaldo, who has never been lower than 20th, has won the Ballon d’Or on five occasions, with the last coming in 2017. 

Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi, who has frequently competed with Ronaldo for the prize, failed to make the shortlist. 

Messi has won a record seven Ballons d’Or, including in 2021.

Last season Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 games for United after making a sensational return to the club.

The Portugal international was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window after telling the club he wanted to leave but a deal failed to materialise and he ended up staying.

Ronaldo has endured a difficult start to the campaign during which he has scored just twice and has mainly been a substitute. 

The 37-year-old started just his second Premier League game of the season in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Sunday. 

Messi, meanwhile, scored eleven times for PSG last season, which is short of his usual high standards.

The Argentine has started this season in impressive form and has already found the net on eight occasions. 

The winner of the prize is set to be announced at a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday. According to reports, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is set to scoop the award.

Sources: Mail Sports

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Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies

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Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country's economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.

Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.

The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.

Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.

Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.

“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”

“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.

Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”

Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.

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Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign

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Messi on fan-police clashes: "There could have been a tragedy." After a brief stint in command of Argentina's under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018. Argentina's 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley. Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.

Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.

Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.

“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.

“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.

“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.

“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”

Messi on fan-police clashes: “There could have been a tragedy.”

After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.

Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.

Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.

“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.

“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”

Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.

The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.

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2026WCQ: Chris Hughton under pressure after Black Stars defeat in Comoros

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Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday's encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.

Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.

Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.

Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.

Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.

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