Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta apologises to Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid stars for controversial Fifa’s ‘The Best’ awards snub
Nou Camp midfielder personally phones Los Blancos players and insists Barca stars had nothing to do with decision to stay away
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ANDRES INIESTA phoned Real Madrid players to apologise for Barcelona’s controversial snub of Fifa’s The Best awards.
Los Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was named Best Player in the World at the red-carpet ceremony in Zurich.
Fifa were less than pleased with the Barca’s absence and the Portuguese ace – who also won the Ballon d’Or last month – aimed a cheeky dig at arch rival Lionel Messi when collecting his award.
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Messi, who came second in the vote, had been due to attend, along with Barca team-mates Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
But they decided to stay away, with the club insisting that it was due to preparations for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao.
In a recorded message screened at the awards show, Iniesta said: “We want to show our gratitude at having been chosen and apologise for not coming to the gala.
“We have a hugely important game against Athletic and so we couldn't be there.”
But, according to , the Spain midfielder also personally called international team-mates in the Madrid squad to say sorry for their “thoughtlessness”.
The paper reports that Iniesta claimed the decision was nothing to do with the players, and was down to a difference of opinion with the club’s hierarchy.
After collecting his trophy from Fifa President Gianni Infantino, Ronaldo said: “I am sorry that some people from Barcelona aren't here with us... but that is understandable.”
Juventus defender Dani Alves was also annoyed by the snub when he received his award for placing in the FIFPro Best XI.
The former Barca star said: “They've left me alone here with Real Madrid. They should have come.”