Messi, Ronaldo have 'no respect' for FIFA's awards night

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When the 33-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modric held his FIFA Best Man 2018 trophy high on Monday's award night, criticism for his biggest rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came to a head as neither attended the ceremony.

Former Italy midfielder and coach, and former England and Russia manager, Fabio Capello led the criticism of the two, who have both dominated the awards for over a decade and received nominations this year.

Lionel Messi (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo answer media questions during a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2016. /VCG Photo

"The absence of Ronaldo and Messi, it is a lack of respect, for the players, for FIFA and for the world of football," Capello said.

"It is possible that they won too much and do not like to lose. In life you have to be good when you win and when you lose," Capello added.

Fabio Capello (R) and his wife Laura Ghisi arrive for The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London, England, Sept. 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

"It's a pity. Messi attended the gala last year and he didn't win. It's a pity if it happens the same with Ronaldo than in the UEFA gala," former Uruguay and Manchester United forward Diego Forlan said.

"It's an event of every player and it's important to be here. No matter who wins. A player has to show with his attitude and actions, because they are a model for the world," Forlan added.

Another top football figure Davor Suker of Croatia said, "You have to be a gentleman when you win, but also when you lose."

Even Modric himself made remarks about their absence when he was lifting his award at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. "Everyone has their own reasons [for their absence]. Obviously I would have liked them to be here but they aren't."

(Cover via VCG)