Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in on the debate surrounding this year’s prestigious award, insisting that it should go to a player whose team won the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday ahead of the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich, the 40-year-old football icon said team achievements should be the primary criteria for selecting the winner.
“In my opinion, the Ballon d’Or should go to someone who has won major trophies — particularly the Champions League,” Ronaldo said.
The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by France Football since 1956, recognizes the best footballer over the previous season. Following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last weekend, calls have intensified for PSG winger Ousmane Dembele to receive the accolade.
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also entered the conversation after his dazzling performance in Spain’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France, prompting some to argue that the 17-year-old deserves the award — a feat that would make him the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.
France head coach Didier Deschamps endorsed Dembele, saying, “Considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it — and I wish it for him.”
France captain Kylian Mbappe echoed that sentiment during a press conference in Stuttgart. “We’re talking about Yamal and Dembele, but my vote goes to Dembele,” he said.
Ronaldo, however, remained non-committal on a specific player. “I cannot tell you who deserves it this season,” he said.
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or titles place him second only to Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times. The two dominated the honour for a decade, from Ronaldo’s first win in 2008 through to his last in 2017.
The current Ballon d’Or holder is Spanish and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
