Messi's dad appears to take swipe at Ronaldo after he slams Ballon d'Or win

Lionel Messi's father Jorge has apparently taken a swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo and everyone else levelling criticism at his son's latest Ballon d'Or win.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi collected a record seventh Golden Ball on Monday night, putting him two ahead of Ronaldo.

The Manchester United star snubbed attending the event in Paris and later took to Instagram to comment "facts" under a post claiming he was more deserving of this year's Ballon d'Or than Messi.

Jorge has seemingly responded to the backlash his son has been receiving by uploading a picture of Messi holding his seventh Golden Ball alongside the caption: "Bla bla bla... carry on."

Did Lionel Messi deserve to win a seventh Ballon d'Or? Have your say in the comments!

Ronaldo isn't the only one who appears to believe Messi is undeserving of the 2021 accolade.

Toni Kroos also hit out at the decision to award Messi another Ballon d'Or on his official podcast, saying: "It's absolutely not deserved.

"There is no doubt that Messi, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], has been the player of the last decade, but this year there should've been others ahead of him.

"For me, Karim [Benzema] would have been the number one if you were really looking for the best individual player of the last year because I can see from close quarters what an outstanding footballer he is."

Iker Casillas, meanwhile, tweeted: "Each time it's harder to believe in these football awards. For me, Messi is one of the best players in the whole history of football, but we have to start knowing who stands out most in a season.

"It is not that damn hard. Others make it difficult."

While Lothar Matthaus told Sky Germany: "Honestly, I don't understand anything anymore."

"With all due respect to Messi and the other great players named, none deserved it as much as Lewandowski.

"France Football didn't award the prize last year, and if only because of all the titles that Robert has won with Bayern 2020, he is unrivalled not only in the last two years."But even if you only take 2021 into account, he was better than the rest.

"He broke Gerd Muller's record of the century, is again top of the top scorers' list in every competition and has surpassed everyone nationally and internationally this year as well."