Football star Cristiano Ronaldo discredits Ballon d'Or as "fabricated", praises Arsenal's Gyokeres as "exceptional" instead.
Cristiano Ronaldo Dismisses Ballon d'Or as "Fictional," Expresses Disappointment Over Nomination Snub
In a recent interview with Metro UK, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo voiced his criticism towards the Ballon d'Or award, calling it "fictional" and questioning the fairness of its selection process.
Ronaldo's comments come following his exclusion from the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist for the second consecutive year, a decision that has left him feeling disillusioned with the prestigious award. He expressed frustration that Vinícius Júnior, who he believes deserved the award, was not the recipient.
"The Ballon d'Or has lost credibility and fairness," Ronaldo said. "I've felt anger over the results in the past, and this year is no exception. Vinícius Júnior should have won the award."
Ronaldo's criticism extends beyond the 2025 edition, as he has long been critical of the award's selection process. In June, he suggested that the award should go to a player who has lifted the UEFA Champions League, a sentiment he reiterated in his recent interview.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Ronaldo continues to impress. He recently scored a hat-trick in a pre-season clash against Rio Ave, captaining Al-Nassr.
In other football news, Sporting Lisbon signed Luis Suarez from Almeria to help fill the void left by Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal after an outstanding spell in Portugal. Gyokeres was praised by Ronaldo, who began his career at Sporting. Gyokeres netted an astonishing 97 goals in just over 100 appearances for the Portuguese club.
Ronaldo remains optimistic about Sporting's future and hopes they can be champions again. He was asked about his pick for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and, while he did not provide a specific name, he emphasized the importance of recognizing players who have made significant contributions to the game.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist was announced on Friday, August 8, but Ronaldo's name was conspicuously absent. Despite this, he remains a dominant force in the world of football, continuing to push boundaries both on and off the pitch.
- Despite his exclusion from the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist, Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League, has shown his continued prowess on the football pitch with a recent hat-trick against Rio Ave.
- In the European leagues, other notable transfer activities include Luis Suarez joining Sporting Lisbon from Almeria to replace Viktor Gyokeres, who was praised by Ronaldo during his time at Sporting.
- In the midst of the ongoing debate surrounding the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo has expressed support for recognizing players who make significant contributions to the game, without specifying a name for the 2025 award.
- Meanwhile, Nigeria's Premier League, often referred to as 'Naija' in sports circles, continues its season, with many players striving for excellence just like Ronaldo in their quest for recognition in European-leagues and global sports analysis.
