Ballon d’Or Should Go To Champions League Winner – Ronaldo

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the prestigious individual award should go to a player whose team won the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking on Saturday ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League final clash with Spain in Munich, the 40-year-old star emphasized the importance of trophies in determining the Ballon d’Or winner.

“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 said.

His remarks come amid growing debate over this year’s frontrunners. Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final has sparked calls for Ousmane Dembele to take the award, while 17-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal’s standout performance in the Nations League semi-final against France has also drawn attention.

France coach Didier Deschamps and captain Kylian Mbappe both publicly endorsed Dembele for the honour.

“Considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it,” said Deschamps. Mbappe added, “Right now we’re talking about Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, but I’m voting for Dembele.”

The current Ballon d’Or holder is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.