'Sexist' Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi slammed for 'staring' at Stephanie Roche during Ballon d'Or awards ceremony

Portugal football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina talisman Lionel Messi have reportedly been dubbed as 'sexist' for ogling at Irish female footballer Stephanie Roche.

Roche earned the unique distinction of being the only woman to have been shortlisted for FIFA's goal of the year alongside fellow strikers Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and was present at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. When Roche stepped up to collect her second place prize in Zurich, Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or award, and Messi were snapped staring unashamedly at her body, the Mirror reported.

The duo appeared to be having a great time and Ronaldo was reportedly even seen grabbing Messi's thigh in excitement. Ronaldo and Messi, both, have been dubbed 'sexist' online and critics said that Roche 'deserved more respect'.