Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2025 Ballon d’Or snub: Criticizing French Football decision
Cristiano Ronaldo with his 2013 Ballon d’Or. Photo Credit- TVP Sport
The 2025 Ballon d’Or nominations have sparked heated debate, with one name prominently absent: Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite leading Portugal to UEFA Nations League glory at the age of 40, an extraordinary feat for any athlete, Ronaldo’s exclusion from the 30-man shortlist has raised eyebrows and ignited discussions about the award’s criteria, biases, and the evolving landscape of football’s highest individual honor. This snub, while surprising to some, reflects a combination of factors: the Ballon d’Or’s emphasis on club performance, Ronaldo’s current career stage, and a possible shift in how the award defines greatness. While Ronaldo’s omission may sting for his legion of fans, it offers a moment to critically examine the award’s priorities and whether they align with football’s broader narrative.
Since 2022, the Ballon d’Or has shifted its focus to evaluate players based on their performances over a football season rather than a calendar year. This change places a premium on club achievements, particularly in high-profile competitions like the UEFA Champions League, over international successes like the Nations League. Ronaldo’s 2024-25 season with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, while statistically impressive, lacks the global spotlight of Europe’s top leagues. Al-Nassr’s failure to secure the Saudi Pro League title and their absence from the Champions League stage, where Ballon d’Or voters often look for defining moments likely diminished Ronaldo’s case.
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In contrast, nominees like Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, who played pivotal roles in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph, or Lamine Yamal, who dazzled for Barcelona in a domestic treble, have dominated the conversation. The Ballon d’Or’s voting criteria prioritize individual performances of a “decisive and impressive character,” and journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations seem to have favoured players competing in Europe’s elite competitions. Ronaldo’s contributions in Saudi Arabia, while prolific, may have been perceived as less impactful in this context, despite his eight international goals and leadership in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign.
Moreover, Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in 2023 has undeniably shifted how his achievements are perceived. The Saudi Pro League, despite its growing financial superiority and star power, lacks the competitive prestige of Europe’s top five leagues. While Ronaldo continues to deliver staggering goal tallies; reportedly over 30 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, his performances are often dismissed as inflated by a less competitive environment. This perception, fair or not, contrasts with players like Mohamed Salah, who earned a nomination for his record-equalling 47 goal involvements in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign, or Kylian Mbappe, who shone in his debut season at Real Madrid.
The Ballon d’Or’s international jury, composed of specialized journalists, may also view Ronaldo’s Saudi stint as a step away from the sport’s epicenter. Unlike Lionel Messi, whose move to Inter Miami in 2023 was followed by a Ballon d’Or win bolstered by Argentina’s World Cup triumph, Ronaldo’s international success in the Nations League, a competition often seen as secondary to the World Cup or Euros lacked the weight to offset his club context. This raises questions about whether the award undervalues contributions outside Europe’s traditional powerhouses, potentially alienating players who choose non-European leagues.
Again, at 40, Ronaldo defies the physical limits of football, yet his age may have worked against him. The Ballon d’Or has increasingly leaned toward players in their prime or emerging stars, as evidenced by the nominations of Yamal, Dembele, and Cole Palmer, who inspired Chelsea to Club World Cup glory. Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or wins and record 18 nominations already make him a titan of the award’s history, but this legacy might paradoxically contribute to voters becoming exhausted. Journalists may feel that Ronaldo’s case for further recognition is less compelling when weighed against younger players who are redefining the game.
Moreover, Ronaldo’s polarizing persona; his outspoken criticism of awards processes and his relentless self-promotion, may not endear him to voters. His comments about the Ballon d’Or’s lack of consensus and “behind-the-scenes” comments, while true, could be seen as undermining the award’s credibility, potentially becoming an insult to the very journalists who hold the voting power.
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A broader critique of the 2025 Ballon d’Or nominations
Ronaldo’s snub also invites scrutiny of the Ballon d’Or itself. Critics have long described the award as a “popularity contest” that favors attacking players and those with media-friendly narratives. The 2025 nominations, dominated by PSG’s Champions League winners and young stars like Yamal, reinforce this bias toward glamour and immediacy. Ronaldo’s Nations League triumph, while significant, may have been overshadowed by the award’s preference for club success and individual flair over collective leadership and longevity.
The decision to overlook Ronaldo also prompts questions about fairness. His performance in the Nations League final, where he outshone Yamal and converted a crucial goal, demonstrated his ability to deliver on the biggest stages. Yet, the award’s criteria; emphasizing “individual performances, decisive and impressive character” only seem inconsistently applied when a 40-year-old icon is excluded while younger players with fewer trophies are celebrated. This inconsistency fuels perceptions of bias, as highlighted by former player Franck Ribéry’s sarcastic reaction to Ronaldo’s comments, referencing his own controversial 2013 Ballon d’Or loss.
Conclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the 2025 Ballon d’Or nominations is not a dismissal of his greatness but a reflection of the award’s evolving priorities. The emphasis on club performances, particularly in the Champions League, the growing celebration of youth, and the perceived lesser prestige of the Saudi Pro League all contributed to his exclusion. While his Nations League heroics showcased his undying hunger for success, they were not enough to sway organizers in a season dominated by European club narratives.
This snub, however, does not diminish Ronaldo’s legacy. His five Ballon d’Or titles, 18 nominations, and unparalleled goal-scoring record speak for themselves. Instead, it highlights the Ballon d’Or’s limitations in capturing everything about footballing excellence, particularly for players who defy age, geography, and conventional expectations. As the award moves forward, it must grapple with how to balance legacy, innovation, and global inclusivity. For now, Ronaldo’s omission serves as a poignant reminder that even the greatest stars can be snubbed when the criteria for greatness shift.
