By Esther Edoh
Paris, France – Ahead of the UEFA Nations League final clash between Portugal and Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked debate surrounding the 2025 Ballon d’Or award, offering his thoughts on the leading contenders.
The race for the prestigious individual accolade is already taking shape, with Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, emerging as the frontrunners to succeed current holder Rodri.
Dembele enjoyed a stellar season, leading PSG to an unprecedented treble, including their first-ever Champions League title with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. The French winger also contributed significantly to PSG’s Ligue 1 and Coupe de France triumphs, racking up an impressive 33 goals and 15 assists.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal has burst onto the scene, captivating fans with his exceptional talent at just 17 years old. The Barcelona prodigy has played a key role in his team’s success, bagging 18 goals and providing 25 assists as Barcelona secured the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey. However, a Champions League final appearance eluded him after Barcelona’s semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.
Ronaldo Backs Champions League Winner
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has now entered the fray, seemingly favouring Dembele. He stated that the recipient of the award should be someone who has conquered the Champions League, a feat Yamal missed out on.
“The individual awards have lost some consensus; I can’t say anything about who should win. In my opinion, those who stand out and win the Champions League should win,” Ronaldo told TNT Sports.
However, the Portuguese icon also suggested that the award has lost some of its integrity due to behind-the-scenes politics. “But there is no consensus. I don’t believe much in individual awards because I know what goes on behind the scenes. Lamine could win, like Dembele or Vitinha, other emerging players. But individual awards are irrelevant.”
Ribery’s Sarcastic Retort
Ronaldo’s comments didn’t sit well with former Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery, who responded with a sarcastic Instagram story: “So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d’Or?”
Ribery felt particularly slighted as he was overlooked for the 2013 Ballon d’Or despite winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich that year, finishing third behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo vs. Yamal: A Nations League Showdown
Ronaldo’s comments come ahead of his first on-field encounter with Yamal in the UEFA Nations League final. Ronaldo, fresh off scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Germany, will face a Yamal eager to claim his first piece of international silverware after a man-of-the-match performance in Spain’s 5-4 victory over Dembele’s France.
Ronaldo has already tasted Nations League glory, leading Portugal to victory in 2019. Now, he stands against Yamal, who seeks his first international title as Spain defend their crown.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or race is far from over. While Dembele holds the advantage of a Champions League title, Yamal’s sensational talent and influence could still sway the voters. The UEFA Nations League final provides another stage for these two stars to further stake their claim for football’s most coveted individual award.
