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Published 20:37 31 Aug 2018 BST
Updated 20:38 31 Aug 2018 BST
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'It was all set up. A private helicopter to whisk him and his entourage from Turin to Monaco in around 40 minutes. Half a dozen seats reserved for his entourage, including his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, who had rushed back from the Venice Film Festival. 'And then came the call. Or, more likely, two calls. One - a leak, according to multiple sources - informing Cristiano Ronaldo that he had not won... The other a call to Juventus officials, including CEO Beppe Marotta, who were waiting for him at the Meridien Beach hotel, a brief walk from the Grimaldi Forum. This was just before 4 pm on Thursday, with the draw and Player of the Year ceremony set to begin at 6 pm. 'Ronaldo wasn't getting on the helicopter to Nice. Which meant he wouldn't be getting on the helicopter to Monaco. Which meant he would not be on the red carpet outside the Grimaldi Forum and he certainly would not be at the awards ceremony.'Friends, advisors and Juventus officials tried to convince Ronaldo to make the trip to the awards but he made a "personal decision' and steered clear. "On our part," said Marotta, "we're profoundly bitter at the decision to not award him this prize. This prize isn't about the World Cup, it's about the Champions League, and so I think Ronaldo deserves it." The criteria for the award does state that players are judged 'on all performances: domestic, continental and international'. Modric just timed his run t the right time. Maybe next year.
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