Ronaldo Chimes In on Ballon d’Or Discussion: “It Should Be Awarded to the Champions League Winner”

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo indicated on Saturday that the prestigious award should be given to a player whose team has secured the Champions League title.

Speaking before Sunday’s Nations League final in Munich, where Portugal will face Spain, the seasoned forward emphasised that “trophies” should play a critical role in deciding the Ballon d’Or recipient.

“In my view, the individual who wins it ought to be from a team that has achieved success. The Ballon d’Or winner should come from a squad that clinches the Champions League,” the 40-year-old told members of the media.

The Ballon d’Or, established in 1956 by the French publication France Football, is awarded to the player deemed to have been the best during the previous season.

Following Paris Saint-Germain’s decisive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday, there have been mounting calls for Ousmane Dembele to be crowned this season’s winner.

However, Spain’s emerging star Lamine Yamal dazzled in Thursday’s thrilling 5-4 Nations League semi-final victory over France, prompting discussions about the possibility of awarding the Ballon d’Or to the teenager, which would make him the youngest recipient ever at just 17 years of age.

France manager Didier Deschamps has endorsed Dembele for the award, asserting: “Given 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 Mbappe expressed his support for Dembele as well, stating, “Does anyone really need me to elaborate? Right now we’re discussing Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, but my vote goes to Dembele.”

Ronaldo mentioned that he “cannot determine who deserves it” this season.

His five victories are only surpassed by Lionel Messi, who has claimed the award eight times.

The two superstars dominated the awards for a decade, from Ronaldo’s first achievement in 2008 until his last in 2017.

The current titleholder is Manchester City and Spain’s Rodri.