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Cristiano Ronaldo said the Ballon d’Or should go to a Champions League winner, with Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal being top contenders.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (AP)
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday that the individual honour should go to a player whose team has won the Champions League. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final in Munich between Portugal and Spain, the veteran emphasised the importance of trophies in determining the Ballon d’Or winner.
“In my opinion, the winner should be part of a team that has won trophies. The Ballon d’Or winner should come from a team that has won the Champions League,” the 40-year-old forward told reporters.
The Ballon d’Or, first awarded in 1956 by French magazine France Football, recognises the best player over the previous season.
Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday has fuelled calls for Ousmane Dembélé to win this year’s award. Meanwhile, Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal impressed with his performance in Thursday’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France, leading some to suggest the 17-year-old should receive the Ballon d’Or, which would make him the youngest recipient in its history.
France coach Didier Deschamps endorsed Dembélé for the award, saying, “Considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it, and that’s all I wish for him.”
At a press conference in Stuttgart on Saturday, France captain Kylian Mbappé also supported Dembélé. “Do I really need to explain? We’re talking about Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé, but I’m voting for Dembélé.”
Ronaldo admitted he “cannot tell you who deserves it” this season.
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or wins are second only to Argentinian Lionel Messi, who has won the award eight times. The duo dominated the award for a decade, from Ronaldo’s first win in 2008 to his last in 2017.
The current holder is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
(With inputs from AFP)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov… Read More
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