Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited the debate over the Ballon d’Or’s credibility, suggesting that the award should reflect achievements in the UEFA Champions League — the pinnacle of club football.
In a candid remark, the Portuguese star stated, “For me, whoever wins the Ballon d’Or must be a player who won the Champions League. I believe the award has lost its value.”
Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times and lifted the Champions League trophy on five occasions, expressed his belief that recent trends have seen the award shift away from rewarding the highest levels of footballing success.
While he did not mention any player by name, his comments come at a time when football fans and pundits are intensely speculating about the 2025 Ballon d’Or contenders.
Players like Dembele, Rafinha, and Lamin Yamal— all of whom played instrumental roles in the Champions League — are among the top favorites, following Real Madrid’s triumphant campaign.
The Al Nassr forward’s criticism echoes a growing sentiment among football traditionalists who believe that individual accolades should be closely tied to team success, particularly on Europe’s biggest stage.
Ronaldo’s statement is likely to stir further discussion ahead of the ceremony, as debates rage between fans of statistical brilliance versus silverware-backed performances.
As the football world awaits the official Ballon d’Or shortlist, one thing is clear: Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the path to the golden trophy must go through the Champions League final — and anything less, in his eyes, simply doesn’t measure up.
