In response to an article by Herbert Messina Ferrante (September 29), Karl Flores (October,17) takes the former to task for daring to criticise football superstars’ (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo) non-attendance at the recent Luka Modric Fifa Player of the Year Award Ceremony in London.

He misquotes Messina Ferrante on various points, claiming that “he found four excuses they could have made so as not to attend” and, unbelievably and illogically, states that “(he) therefore expects them to lie because they did not attend”.

Flores adds insult to injury by calling Messina Ferrante “cheeky”. One really wonders who is cheeky. Messina Ferrante’s opinion, coming from a renowned sportsman par excellence, though hard and down to earth, honest and doing straight talking, is not insolent, does not lack respect or politeness and his thoughts are, no doubt, shared by innumerable true sportsmen worldwide. Whatever the case, cheekiness, pettiness or otherwise, it is an undeniable fact that Ronaldo’s and Messi’s presence at the event would have pleased the genuine sporting world no end.

Their presence would have added class to a glittering occasion.