Legendary actor Sir Patrick Stewart, renowned for his iconic roles in Star Trek and X-Men, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. Following the announcement of his death, fans have recalled a viral moment from the Best FIFA Football Awards in London on October 23, 2017, where Stewart chose to prioritize a meeting with Lionel Messi over acknowledging Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking on stage four days later, Stewart opened up on how he skipped past Cristiano Ronaldo to meet Lionel Messi with his wife.
The 2017 FIFA Awards Encounter
Stewart attended the 2017 gala to present the FIFA Fair Play award alongside former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, an event where Cristiano Ronaldo took home the top individual men’s honor.
Recounting the evening, Stewart explained that as the ceremony concluded, he walked along the front row with his wife, even announcing his own name to ensure he was recognized.
While Ronaldo noticed him first, Stewart was determined to find the Argentine star.
- Stewart navigated the crowd as Lionel Messi had momentarily ducked behind his seat, waiting for the forward to reappear before successfully securing a photograph with him and his wife.
- The legendary actor shared the meeting on the social media platform X that same night, a post that has resurfaced this week amid widespread tributes.
France Football’s BOAT Poll Results
In separate football-related news, France Football recently concluded its “Best of All Time” (BOAT) poll, launched for the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or. The vote allowed fans to select the greatest season by a multiple-time winner for a fee of €1 per vote.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign at Manchester United, featuring 42 goals and a Premier League-Champions League double, secured the top spot in the fan rankings.
- Lionel Messi’s 2012 season, during which he tallied 91 goals for club and country, finished second, followed by Ronaldo’s 2017 season in third.
- France Football clarified that the BOAT poll is a fan-led initiative rather than an official award, noting that Lionel Messi’s record of eight Ballon d’Or titles remains untouched.
