Cristiano Ronaldo Questions Ballon d’Or Credibility After Missing Nominee List Again

Once upon a time, the Ballon d’Or shortlist was almost synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name. For many years, the Portuguese superstar dominated the footballing world, not only through his phenomenal performances but also by consistently being recognized among the best players globally. However, times have changed. For the second consecutive year, Ronaldo, now in the twilight of his illustrious career, has failed to make it to the shortlist of 30 nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. This surprising omission has clearly left CR7 feeling disappointed and disillusioned with the organizers of the award, or at least that is what the Portuguese legend has publicly expressed.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers in history, having won the Ballon d’Or five times—second only to his longtime rival Lionel Messi, who has claimed it eight times. Yet, for the second year running, neither Ronaldo nor Messi made it to the nominee list, marking a significant moment in football history. While Messi has remained silent about the snub this year, Ronaldo has not held back, openly questioning the credibility and fairness of the Ballon d’Or selection process. He directed his criticism at ‘France Football,’ the magazine responsible for organizing the award, suggesting that the process lacks transparency and authenticity.

The controversy gained further momentum after Ronaldo’s recent performance in a friendly match. His club, Al Nasr, defeated Rio Ave 4-0 in Portugal, and Ronaldo was the star of the show, scoring a remarkable hat-trick. Following this display of skill and determination, a reporter from ‘Sport TV Portugal’ asked Ronaldo who he thought would win the Ballon d’Or this year. Ronaldo’s response was blunt and loaded with disappointment—“It seems fabricated to me.” This one statement revealed how much the veteran player’s faith in the award has eroded over time. He seems to believe that the award has become more about politics or popularity rather than true merit and achievement on the pitch.

Ronaldo’s criticisms of the Ballon d’Or are not new. Just last year, he openly expressed his surprise and frustration when Manchester City’s Rodri, a Spanish midfielder, was awarded the prize. Ronaldo felt that the award did not truly reflect the best player’s performances. Moreover, he was particularly angry when Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who was widely regarded as a favorite for the award due to his extraordinary impact, did not win. Ronaldo remarked, “There is no credibility. Vinicius should have won the award. I have felt that many times, and I am angry.” These candid comments reveal his deep dissatisfaction with how the Ballon d’Or is decided.

The absence of both Messi and Ronaldo on the nominee list for two consecutive years highlights a turning point in football history. Ronaldo was first nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2004, and Messi followed two years later in 2006. For over two decades, these two legends have been the defining faces of the award, and their exclusion now signals the changing of the guard in world football.

Despite missing out on the nomination this year, Ronaldo’s 2024-25 season was far from disappointing. He scored an impressive 35 goals for his club and country combined, including 8 goals in important international matches. Notably, he helped his team secure the Nations League title, demonstrating that his talent and competitive spirit remain undiminished even as he advances in age.

The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place in Paris on September 22, will no doubt be watched with great interest by football fans worldwide. While Ronaldo may no longer be a nominee, his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats is firmly cemented, and his outspoken critique of the award’s process adds another chapter to his extraordinary career story. Whether or not his doubts about the award will lead to any changes remains to be seen, but what is clear is that Cristiano Ronaldo continues to command respect both on and off the pitch.