Cristiano Ronaldo Reveals His 3 Ballon d’Or Picks – Says Yamal Isn’t Ready Yet
Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of football’s greatest, recently shared his thoughts on who should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or – and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal isn’t on his list.
Ahead of facing Yamal in the UEFA Nations League final, Ronaldo acknowledged the young Barcelona and Spain star’s talent but advised caution. “He’s doing very well and using his talent wisely,” Ronaldo said, via Football Espana. “But let him grow without too much pressure.”
Though many view Yamal as a future Ballon d’Or contender, Ronaldo believes the award should go to someone who has made a decisive impact in the Champions League. He noted the lack of consensus around individual awards in recent years and emphasized the importance of team success.
Referring to Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League victory over Inter Milan, Ronaldo named Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha as his top picks for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Both were instrumental in PSG’s success – Dembele contributed key goals, while Vitinha played a vital creative role.
Despite the hype surrounding emerging stars like Yamal, Ronaldo stressed that individual awards can be misleading due to behind-the-scenes politics. In his view, performances in major competitions like the Champions League should carry more weight.
