Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferré's statements last week, when he claimed that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi.
Pascal Ferré lied, used my name to promote himself and the publication he works for. It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize can lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Golden Ball. And he lied again today by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.
I always congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that guide my career since the beginning, and I do it because I am never against anyone. I always win for me and for the clubs I represent, I win for me and for those who love me. I don't win against anyone.
The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for my country's National Team. The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers. The greatest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in gold letters in the history of world soccer.
I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United's next game and on everything that, together with my teammates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. What about the rest? The rest is just the rest...