Cristiano Ronaldo Advocates for Champions League Winners in Ballon d'Or Selection

Ronaldo's Perspective on Ballon d'Or Criteria

Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time recipient of the Ballon d’Or, believes that the award should be awarded to players from teams that have triumphed in the Champions League. Speaking at an event in Munich prior to the Nations League final, he emphasized the significance of team success in determining the Ballon d’Or recipient.

“In my view, the winner ought to be someone from a team that has secured trophies. The Ballon d’Or should go to a player from a Champions League-winning team,” stated the 40-year-old forward during his interaction with the media.

🗣️ Cristiano Ronaldo: “For me, whoever wins the Ballon d'Or must be a player who has won the Champions League. I think this award has lost its value.” pic.twitter.com/sXAACLrSB1

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 7, 2025

Since its inception in 1956, France Football magazine has awarded the Ballon d’Or annually to the top footballer of the previous year.

The pressure is mounting on Ousmane Dembélé to clinch the 2022 Ballon d’Or following PSG's historic 5-0 victory in the Champions League. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal has raised expectations for the prestigious award after his standout performance in Spain's recent win, leading some to speculate he could become the youngest recipient in history.

Despite winning the Ballon d’Or five times between 2008 and 2017, Ronaldo remains behind Lionel Messi, who has claimed the award a record eight times. For a decade, these two legends dominated the awards scene.