Following several audacious statements made by the former Sporting Lisbon winger on a recent podcast, Cristiano Ronaldo tellingly responded to Fabio Paim.

Paim has freely acknowledged that the expectations and way of life that came with being a professional football player “overwhelmed” him.

Growing up, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United were among the many elite European teams that were interested in signing him. These teams would frequently attend the games in which he played.

Before turning 20, a loan transfer to Chelsea of the Premier League was arranged, partly due to the influence of his previous agent Jorge Mendes.

Sadly, though, after a forgettable stint at Chelsea that included multiple youth appearances, the Estoril-born forward faded into obscurity.

To prepare for Euro 2020, Paim recently revealed that he watched former Cristiano Ronaldo train through the window of his jail cell.

Paim also shared some more thoughts about the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward a month after that interview.

Speaking on PT Clipes’ podcast, Paim asserted that if he had “half of Cristiano’s head,” he would have achieved as much in his career as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo combined.

Then he said something rather audacious regarding the Ballon d’Or trophy.

“Cristiano Ronaldo should offer me one of his Ballon d’Or,” said Paim. “I grew up at Sporting; I went there when I was seven years old. Those were the golden years when I achieved everything.

“I marked a generation, but I didn’t reach as far as I could have. People remember me because I marked them if they do.”

Paim continued by elaborating on his Ballon d’Or statement. “I said when I was happy that I thought Cristiano Ronaldo could offer me a Ballon d’Or, but it was with humility,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be him and Messi, it would be me, him, and Messi, and maybe he wouldn’t have won the Ballon d’Or that he has if I had half of Cristiano’s head. One of them might have been mine.”

Since then, Ronaldo has reacted to those allegations on Instagram by leaving a comment on the podcast clip. “. who is this guy?” he wrote.

Paim provided an interesting look back into his playing days back in October.

“I was truly unique. This is the reality, and I must be humble,” he said to The Sun. “Unfortunately, there was no Instagram or Facebook back then, and nothing was recorded like it is now. However, I firmly and sincerely feel that, up until this point, there has never been another person like me with the same quality I had.

“After all his effort and dedication, Cristiano reached a level that is rightfully his. However, I could have outperformed him in the game if I had put in the same amount of work and dedication. In terms of technique, I was superior. I resembled a tiny Ronaldinho. However, as we can see, the method does not get us where we want to go.

But Yes, I was superior to Cristiano at the time. I think I ought to receive one of his Ballons d’Or!

“Unfortunately, I was born with talent,” Paim continued. I had the impression I didn’t need to put in the work because I was making a lot of money. A person such as myself can never become a millionaire.

“I regret making certain decisions. I can see the picture differently now that I’m an older person. My mind wasn’t there, but the talent was. All I could think about was women and partying, besides football.