Was Ballon d'Or parade Ronaldo's taunt to Messi?

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had reportedly ''taunted'' Barcelona ace Lionel Messi after he won the Ballon d'Or by parading the trophy before Madrid's match against Granada, before firing a message as to who is the best around.

Ronaldo, who ousted Messi to win the crown as the world's best footballer earlier this month, then smashed home the opening goal of the game.

According to Metro.co.uk, the Portuguese hitman then showed off the ''number one'' sign with his fingers -- right in front of the cameras.

Messi finished in second place in the running for the Ballon d'Or, and the pair are said to endure a frosty relationship, the report added.

Ronaldo scored his 22nd La Liga goal of the season to set Real Madrid on their way to a laboured 2-0 win at home to Granada on Saturday.

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF holds the Ballon d'Or 2013 award prior to he start of the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday

Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images