Katia Aveiro, 46, appeared to agree with the latter as she commented on a social media post praising the exploits of the Portuguese great shortly after Monday’s ceremony.

The post on X, formerly Twitter, showed the 38-year-old surrounded by his raft of personal honours including three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards, four European Golden Shoes and five Ballon d’Ors.

Katia Aveiro liked and commented on a post that appeared to take a dig at Lionel Messi

Katia Aveiro (left) has been a vocal supporter of her brother Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years

Lionel Messi claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or title on Monday night in Paris

The image was accompanied by the caption: ‘Earned, not given.’ In an apparent dig at the former Barcelona star who has claimed at least two somewhat contentious prizes in recent years.

Aveiro liked the post and commented with five clapping emojis – potentially in a nod to her brother’s own tally or just to emphasise the degree to which she supported the message.

It’s not the first time Portuguese pop singer has waded into modern football’s eternal debate. Last year, she labelled the World Cup as ‘the worst ever’ in a dramatic post on social media.

She wrote: ‘The worst World Cup of all time,’ before eventually praising the victorious South America side by adding: ‘That thankfully gave us a great final. What a match. Congratulations to Argentina.’

Aveiro had earlier urged Ronaldo him to leave the World Cup and come home to a place where he has ‘all the gratitude and not ingratitude’ following his demotion to Portugal’s bench during the tournament.