Ronaldo: Ballon d’Or Should Go to Champions League Winner

Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, believes the prestigious award should be given to a player who has lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League final clash with Spain in Munich, the 40-year-old emphasized that team achievements should weigh heavily in the Ballon d’Or decision.

“In my view, the winner should come from a team that has secured major titles — especially the Champions League,” Ronaldo told journalists.

Established in 1956 by France Football magazine, the Ballon d’Or is awarded annually to the footballer deemed the best over the previous season.

Following Paris Saint-Germain’s dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, many have championed Ousmane Dembele as a frontrunner for this year’s award.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal has gained support for his sensational showing in Spain’s 5-4 semi-final win over France in the Nations League, with some suggesting he could become the youngest Ballon d’Or recipient in history.

French head coach Didier Deschamps publicly endorsed Dembele, saying, “Given the season Ousmane has had, he absolutely deserves it.”

France captain Kylian Mbappe echoed the sentiment at a Stuttgart press conference, saying, “We’re talking about Dembele and Yamal, but my vote goes to Dembele. There’s nothing more to explain.”

Although Ronaldo didn’t name a specific player he believes deserves the award this year, he reiterated the importance of winning trophies.

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the Ballon d’Or scene from 2008 to 2017, with Messi leading the count with eight wins compared to Ronaldo’s five.

The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Rodri, a standout midfielder for Spain and Manchester City.

Source

Punch

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