Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the prestigious award should go to players who have triumphed in the Champions League during the season under review. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final in Munich between Portugal and Spain, the 40-year-old forward emphasized that trophies should be the key factor in deciding the recipient.
“In my opinion, whoever wins it should be part of a team that has secured major trophies. The Ballon d’Or winner should ideally be in a team that has triumphed in the Champions League,” Ronaldo told reporters.
First awarded in 1956 by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or recognizes the player deemed the best over the previous season.
Recent results have fueled debate over potential contenders. Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan has led some to argue that Ousmane Dembélé deserves the award this season. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has impressed with standout performances, including a brace in Thursday’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France, prompting discussions about the teenager possibly becoming the youngest recipient in history.
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or titles are surpassed only by Lionel Messi, who has won it eight times. The duo dominated the award for over a decade, from Ronaldo’s first win in 2008 to his last in 2017. The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
