CRISTIANO RONALDO did NOT vote in the Fifa Best Awards, despite international captains being entitled to do so.
The 38-year-old skippered Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, and there has been no announcement since to suggest that he has been stripped of the armband.
Cristiano Ronaldo wore Portugal’s captain’s armband in Qatar
Pepe voted in Ronaldo’s placeCredit: Getty
Fernando Santos was axed as Portugal boss shortly after their elimination, with Roberto Martinez being appointed in his place.
Rather than Ronaldo, centre-back Pepe voted as Portugal’s captain.
The former Real Madrid hardman, 40, voted for PSG star Kylian Mbappe as men’s player of the year.
And he didn’t even select old rival Lionel Messi in his top three – instead going for former Madrid team-mates Luka Modric and Karim Benzema in second and third respectively.
Upon his appointment, Martinez suggested that Ronaldo would be part of his plans moving forward – despite his predecessor Santos having dropped the Al-Nassr forward during the World Cup.
He said: “I hope we can sit down with him and create the best team. It’s a day of great satisfaction, but tomorrow we’ll get down to business.
“We’re going to start a footballing process to try to get to know all the players that could make it to the national team.
“We’re going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the national team. Cristiano is one of them.
“I’m delighted to be able to have them by my side. It’s a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we’re going to make important decisions for the team.”
Despite being snubbed by Pepe, Messi romped to his second “The Best” award triumph – equalling Ronaldo’s tally.
The 35-year-old was also named in the FIFPRO World XI, and attended the plush bash in Paris alongside wife Antonela and PSG team-mate Mbappe.
Upon accepting his latest gong, Messi said: “It is an amazing pleasure to be here, alongside Benzema and Mbappe, who had a wonderful year.
“It was an amazing year and I achieved a dream that I had been hoping for for so long.
“I want to pay tribute to all of my team-mates and my coach, without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Victorious Lionel Messi attended the bash alongside wife Antonela
