Former Uruguayan soccer player Walter 'El Rifle' Pandiani has taken to Twitter to criticize Cristiano Ronaldo following his Balon D'Or win. He attacked CR7, saying that he only won the award because "cried so much" and stated that he is undeserving of the accolade as he is only the hot player of the moment: "You cried so much that they gave you the prize!" wrote the Uruguayan. "Congratulations! But you are not the best of 2013, you're just the best right now."
Walter Paniani and Cristiano Ronaldo both played in the Spanish League when 'El Rifle' played for Osasuna - the two were at odds on various occasions. However, other football stars have taken Ronaldo's win much better, including Barcelona's Dani Alves who was also nominated for the top soccer prize. "You have to know how to lose and how to win. Today is Cristiano's day, we have to congratulate him," the Brazilian declared to TV3 after the gala event.
FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell also congratulated Ronaldo: Rossell took to Twitter to praise the Portuguese star as well as the efforts of Lionel Messi over the year: "Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Balon d'Or. And thank you Leo for letting us enjoy an unfrogetable 2013." Ronaldo was awarded the coveted prize at Switzerland’s Kongresshaus, his first since taking home the 2008 Ballon d’Or Trophy and after leading Portugal to the 2014 World Cup.
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