Football legend and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited debate over how the prestigious individual award should be determined. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, the 40-year-old forward said the accolade should be awarded to a player who has helped his team win major trophies—particularly the UEFA Champions League.
“In my opinion, whoever wins the Ballon d’Or should be on a team that has won trophies. Especially the Champions League,” Cristiano Ronaldo said during a pre-match press conference in Munich on Saturday.
The veteran forward, who lifted the Ballon d’Or five times between 2008 and 2017, emphasized that success in the most competitive tournaments should be a primary criterion for determining the world’s best player.
First awarded in 1956 by France Football, the Ballon d’Or remains one of the most coveted honors in world football. It is given annually to the player deemed the best over the course of the season, based on performances for both club and country.
Ballon d’Or Should Go to Champions League Winner, Says Cristiano Ronaldo
While skill, consistency, and influence on the pitch are crucial, Cristiano Ronaldo believes trophies—especially in elite competitions like the Champions League—should carry the most weight.
This year’s award has already become the subject of heated debate, especially following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, which has sparked widespread support for French winger Ousmane Dembele to take home the trophy.
While Dembele’s name is gaining momentum in the Ballon d’Or conversation, the football world is also buzzing about Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Spanish prodigy who put on a jaw-dropping performance in Spain’s thrilling 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France. His composure, flair, and confidence at such a young age have led many fans and pundits to suggest he could become the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
Still, some believe experience and a full season’s body of work are critical when evaluating candidates.
France’s national team is strongly backing Dembele for the honor. Head coach Didier Deschamps publicly endorsed the winger, highlighting the PSG star’s contributions throughout the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo- Considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it and that’s all I wish for him,” Deschamps said.
Echoing his coach’s sentiment, French captain Kylian Mbappé added his voice in support of his teammate.
“Do I even need to explain? Right now, people are talking about Lamine Yamal and Dembele, but my vote goes to Dembele,” Mbappé told reporters during a press conference in Stuttgart.
Despite being a former Ballon d’Or kingpin, Cristiano Ronaldo declined to name a specific candidate for this year’s award.
“I cannot tell you who deserves it this season,” Ronaldo said, choosing not to tip the scales in what has become a highly competitive and polarizing debate.
Cristiano Ronaldo five Ballon d’Or trophies place him second only to Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times. Together, the two dominated the global football scene for over a decade, trading the award between them from 2008 until Luka Modric broke the duopoly in 2018.
The current Ballon d’Or holder is Rodri, the Spanish and Manchester City midfielder who played a pivotal role in City’s historic treble-winning season.
As the Ballon d’Or 2025 decision looms, questions arise about what truly defines a season’s best player. Should it be raw stats, individual brilliance, or team success? Ronaldo’s view underscores the belief that winning the Champions League—Europe’s premier club competition—should be the gold standard.
Many fans agree that individual excellence must be balanced with team contribution, especially in big moments. This year, Dembele’s strong performances and Champions League title make a compelling case, while Yamal’s youth and breakout stardom position him as a future favorite—if not for this year, then in seasons to come.
As football enthusiasts await the Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony, the field remains open with high-profile names like Dembele, Yamal, and potentially others vying for the top honor. While Cristiano Ronaldo refrained from endorsing a particular player, his comments have reinforced the importance of winning major titles when considering who deserves to be crowned the best.
Whether the award goes to an experienced star or a rising prodigy, the Ballon d’Or will once again celebrate not just talent—but impact, achievement, and legacy.
Source- EWN
