Five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the 2025 Ballon d’Or award should go to a player who has won the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League final clash against Spain in Munich on Sunday, the 40-year-old Al Nassr striker emphasised the importance of collective success in individual recognition.
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“In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies. The Ballon d’Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League,” Ronaldo told reporters.
The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually since 1956 by France Football magazine, recognises the best player over the previous season. While the criteria include individual brilliance, Ronaldo insists that trophies, particularly Europe’s most prestigious club title, should play a decisive role.
His comments come amid growing debate over potential candidates for this year’s award. Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a frontrunner after a dazzling display in PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal has also entered the conversation following his stellar performance in Spain’s dramatic 5-4 victory over France in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday. If awarded, Yamal would become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.
France coach Didier Deschamps publicly backed Dembele’s candidacy, saying, “Considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it, and that’s all I wish for him.”
At a press conference in Stuttgart on Saturday, France captain Kylian Mbappé echoed the sentiment. “Does anyone really need me to explain? Right now we’re talking about Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, but I’m voting for Dembele,” he said.
Ronaldo, however, declined to name a specific favourite. “I cannot tell you who deserves it,” he stated.
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or triumphs are second only to his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who has won the award eight times. The two legends dominated the accolade for a decade, from Ronaldo’s first win in 2008 to his last in 2017.
The current Ballon d’Or holder is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who played a pivotal role in City’s treble-winning 2022/23 season.
