Ronaldo Stokes Controversy Suggesting Player who Wins Champions League Should Win Ballo d’Or

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June 7, 2025
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Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked a heated debate in the football world by suggesting that the individual honor should be awarded to a player who has won the Champions League.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, the veteran forward emphasized that “trophies” should be the key factor in determining the winner of the prestigious award.

“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 40-year-old’s comments come as the football world is abuzz with speculation over who will win this season’s Ballon d’Or, with several top players in contention.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a strong contender after his team’s 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday.

Dembele’s impressive performance has led to growing calls for him to win the award, with France coach Didier Deschamps and captain Kylian Mbappe both backing him for the honor.

However, Spain starlet Lamine Yamal’s stunning display in Thursday’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France has also thrown his name into the mix. At just 17 years old, Yamal would become the youngest winner in the history of the award if he were to take home the prize.

Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, refused to endorse a specific player for the award, saying “I cannot tell you who deserves it” this season.

The Portuguese forward’s comments are likely to add fuel to the debate, with many fans and pundits already weighing in on who they think should win the award.

The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who won the award last season.

Ronaldo’s five wins are bettered only by Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times. The duo dominated the award for a decade, winning it every year from 2008 to 2017.