Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in on the Ballon d'Or 2025 debate, suggesting that the prestigious award should go to a player who has won the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking ahead of Portugal's UEFA Nations League final against Spain on Sunday, Ronaldo appeared to rule out Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal from contention despite the 17-year-old's impressive season.
"In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies," Ronaldo stated. "The Ballon d'Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League."
Champions League Success as the Deciding Factor
Ronaldo's comments come at a time when Yamal is widely regarded as one of the frontrunners for the award after helping Barcelona secure both LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles this season. However, Barcelona's Champions League journey ended in the semi-finals after elimination by Inter Milan, who eventually finished as runners-up in the competition.
By contrast, Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele was part of the team that defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final last Saturday, potentially strengthening his case for the Ballon d'Or according to Ronaldo's criteria.
Yamal's Strong Case Despite Champions League Absence
Despite Ronaldo's assertion, Yamal continues to make a compelling case for himself. Earlier this week, the Spanish prodigy netted a brace in Spain's thrilling 5-4 victory over Germany in the Nations League semi-final, further showcasing his exceptional talent on the international stage.
Many fans and pundits believe Yamal could become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history, given his remarkable achievements at such a young age. The teenager has already established himself as a key player for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
The upcoming Nations League final between Spain and Portugal will see Ronaldo face off against Yamal in what could be viewed as a symbolic clash between different generations of football excellence.
As the Ballon d'Or debate intensifies, football enthusiasts worldwide will be closely watching how the remainder of the year unfolds for both Yamal and Dembele, whose performances could ultimately determine who claims football's most coveted individual prize.
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