Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo stated on Saturday that the prestigious individual honor should be awarded to a player who has won the Champions League.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final in Munich between Portugal and Spain, the veteran forward emphasized that “trophies” should be the deciding factor for the 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,” the 40-year-old told reporters.
The Ballon d’Or, first awarded in 1956 by France Football magazine, is given to the player deemed the best over the previous season.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday, calls have grown for Ousmane Dembele to claim this year’s award.
However, Lamine Yamal’s extraordinary performance in Spain’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France on Thursday has sparked debates, with some suggesting the teenager should win the Ballon d’Or, which would make the 17-year-old the youngest recipient in history.
France coach Didier Deschamps has expressed his support for Dembele, stating, “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 Mbappe also voiced his backing for Dembele.
“Does anyone really need me to explain? Right now we’re talking about Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, but I’m voting for Dembele,” Mbappe said.
Ronaldo, however, refrained from endorsing any specific player for this year’s Ballon d’Or, stating, “I cannot tell you who deserves it.”
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or victories are surpassed only by Lionel Messi, who has won the award eight times.
The two superstars dominated the accolade for a decade, with Ronaldo’s wins spanning from 2008 to 2017.
The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.