Casemiro has boldly asserted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the 2018 Ballon d’Or awards podium was a glaring injustice.

The Man United midfielder contended that, in his view, Ronaldo was unrivalled during the year in question and feels the veteran was robbed.

Luka Modric pipped Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2018 Ballon d’Or award.

While the seasoned forward missed the opportunity to add further gloss to his illustrious career, another Real Madrid legend – Luka Modric – clinched the coveted prize.

Five years down the line, a multitude of fans, pundits, and even fellow footballers believe the Al-Nassr captain should have had six Ballon d’Or titles to his name.

Casemiro feels Ronaldo was ‘robbed’ in 2018

Offering his perspective on the contentious outcome, the box-to-box Brazilian midfielder acknowledged that Modric had a spectacular season.

Nevertheless, Casemiro firmly believed the award should have ultimately been bestowed upon Ronaldo.

Modric’s Ballon d’Or triumph was undeniably a remarkable twist in the world of football.

He achieved the distinction of becoming the first player, apart from Ronaldo and his enduring rival Lionel Messi, to seize the award since Ricardo Kaka in 2007, according to 90Min.

Since then, Ronaldo has not come close to winning the prestigious award, while Messi has secured two more and is currently well-positioned to clinch a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or next month.

Ballon d’Or: Ferdinand insists Ronaldo was robbed

Sports Brief also reported on Rio Ferdinand echoing Casemiro’s viewpoint by firmly contending that Ronaldo was unfairly deprived of a sixth Ballon d’Or title in 2018.

Rio Ferdinand:

“Cristiano Ronaldo was robbed of the Ballon d'or. Modric's year.” pic.twitter.com/goPdaWBkps

— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) September 13, 2023

The Man United legend, who was once Ronaldo’s teammate, firmly maintains the Portuguese veteran should have clinched that year’s prize had the process been fair.

In a conversation on the Vibe with FIVE podcast alongside YouTuber, iShowSpeed, Ferdinand claimed that Ronaldo had his 2018 Ballon d’Or ‘stolen’ away by Modric.