Ronaldo on top of the world
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn says she’ll be competing for the United States in February’s Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but not for Donald Trump.
“Well, I hope to represent the people of the United States, not the President,” Vonn told CNN. “I take the Olympics very seriously and what they mean and what they represent, what walking under our flag means in the opening ceremony. I want to represent our country well. I don’t think that there are a lot of people currently in our government that do that.”
Vonn, 33, who is preparing for February’s Winter Games training in St. Mortiz, Switzerland, also said she would not be participating in a post-Olympic trip to the White House.
“Absolutely not,” Vonn said. “No. But
PARIS — A decade of dominance as the world’s two best soccer players has left Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi level with five Ballon d’Or awards each.
Despite once trailing 4-1 to his longtime rival, Ronaldo moved level after winning the award again on Thursday.
“With Messi the fight continues, in a good way,” Ronaldo said after being presented the trophy awarded by France Football magazine at a ceremony held at the Eiffel Tower.
Messi was second in the voting and Neymar, who left Barcelona in the offseason to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record transfer fee of 222 million Euros ($262 million), was third. Overall, Messi has a very slight edge. The 30-year-old Messi has been runnerup to Ronaldo on each of his wins.
Ronaldo has been runner-up to Messi four times, with the exception being when midfielder Andres Iniesta — Messi’s brilliant club teammate — finished second in 2010 after scoring the winner for Spain in the World Cup final. Ronaldo did not make the podium that year, with Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi taking third place. He has bounced back to win the last two. Ronaldo was shown on television receiving his latest award Thursday while making the sign of five with his left hand as held the trophy in his right.
“Of course, I feel happy, it’s a big moment in my career,” Ronaldo said. “It’s something I hope to win every year.”
The 32-year-old Portugal forward also took home the Ballon d’Or prize in 2013 and 2014, and in 2008 when playing for Manchester United.
Messi won it from 2009-12 — with Ronaldo runner-up three times during the period — and in 2015 ahead of Ronaldo and Neymar.
Ronaldo claimed it back last year after helping Portugal win the European Championship and starring for Madrid as it won the Champions League. Associated Press