Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited the debate over how the Ballon d’Or should be awarded. Ahead of the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, the Portuguese star said that in his view, “the ones who stand out and win the Champions League should take it.” Still, he made it clear he’s skeptical about the whole thing: “I know what goes on behind the scenes. Individual awards have lost their value.”

So who’s Cristiano’s pick?

In his comments, Cristiano Ronaldo named players like Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, and Lamine Yamal as potential candidates. But he hinted that the young FC Barcelona talent isn’t his personal favorite. His statements stirred up controversy, especially since they contradict the reasoning used when he won the award back in the day.

Ribéry, now retired, jumped in to highlight the inconsistency and bring back a debate that never really went away. And once again, social media became the main battlefield for this ongoing football argument. With the 2024 season wrapping up and no obvious front-runner, the Ballon d’Or is once again under the spotlight. Some say winning the Champions League should seal the deal—others, like Ribéry, believe that logic was never applied consistently.