Before the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, Cristiano Ronaldo took center stage at the press conference, voicing his opinion on the 2025 Ballon d’Or. He argued that the player who wins that trophy should belong to a player crowned as UEFA Champions League champion that year. These comments stirred controversy, as French legend Franck Ribery did not hesitate to respond with a strong and direct rebuttal.
Franck Ribery took to his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to express his thoughts with a touch of humor. Accompanied by laughing emojis, he posted: “So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d’Or?”. His comment stems from personal history, recalling 2013 when he missed out on the prestigious award to Cristiano Ronaldo.
During the 2012-13 season, Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his prowess by scoring 55 goals and delivering 13 assists. Yet, Real Madrid struggled in major tournaments, missing out on the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey titles. Their only victory came in the Spanish Supercup. Despite these challenges, Ronaldo secured the Ballon d’Or. He surpassed Franck Ribery, who had an exceptional season with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League, the DFB-Pokal, and the DFL-Supercup.
Every year, the Ballon d’Or criteria spark intense debate. Many question why individual performance seems less valued if a team misses out on the Champions League title. The announcement of the 2025 winner remains pending until September 22. However, discussions about who deserves the award are gaining momentum and stirring both passion and controversy within the sports community.
Franck Ribery of Bayern Muenchen celebrates with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Champions League final match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Muenchen
2025 Ballon d’Or debate heats up: Who is the favorite player to win the award this year?
After winning the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele shines as the award favorite. However, this has sparked significant debate. Many argue that players like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah have outperformed him. Furthermore, the reliance on just one trophy to decide the award winner remains controversial as the UEFA Best Player of the Year already acknowledges such achievements, raising questions about the current criteria.
see also
Cristiano Ronaldo gives shocking answer about potentially playing alongside Lionel Messi
Lamine Yamal recently joined the discussion. He argues for a focus on consistent performance throughout an entire season. In his view, the Ballon d’Or should recognize long-term excellence, not just brief moments in individual games. Despite not saying it explicitly, his words are meant to advocate against prioritizing UEFA Champions League as a determinant factor for the award.
As the countdown to the announcement of the award winner in September 2025 continues, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup could significantly impact this decision. Ousmane Dembele needs to shine in this tournament. If he leads PSG to victory, he boosts his chances. He could emerge as the frontrunner for the prestigious award. This would leave contenders like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Mohamed Salah trailing behind.
SurveyWho do you think that stands out as your top contender to claim the 2025 Ballon d'Or?
Who do you think that stands out as your top contender to claim the 2025 Ballon d'Or?
already voted 0 people
