Ronaldo Ballon d'Or

France Legend Franck Ribéry Slams Cristiano Ronaldo Over Ballon d'Or Comments Regarding Lamine Yamal

A war of words has erupted between two footballing titans, with France legend Franck Ribéry publicly criticizing Cristiano Ronaldo's recent remarks about the Ballon d'Or and the rising Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal. The controversy stems from Ronaldo's assertion that winning the Champions League should be a prerequisite for claiming the prestigious individual award, a statement widely perceived as a direct jab at Yamal's burgeoning Ballon d'Or prospects.

Ronaldo's Provocative Stance and the Lamine Yamal Connection

Ahead of the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo stirred the pot by stating, "For me, whoever wins the Ballon d'Or must be a player who won the Champions League. I think this award has lost its value." This comment, made in the context of the highly anticipated clash, was instantly interpreted by many as a subtle dig at Lamine Yamal.

Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy, has enjoyed a phenomenal season, securing a domestic treble with Barcelona (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España) and being instrumental in Spain's recent European Championship triumph. His electrifying performances and maturity beyond his years have propelled him into serious contention for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, despite Barcelona's exit from the Champions League in the semi-finals. Ronaldo's comments, suggesting that a Champions League title is a non-negotiable criterion, directly challenge Yamal's eligibility in the eyes of some, given that Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, who led his team to a Champions League title, is also a strong contender.

While Ronaldo later clarified his stance, commending Yamal's talent and urging the media to "let the kid grow" without undue pressure, his initial statement about the Champions League requirement had already ignited the debate.

Ribéry's Furious Rebuttal and the Echoes of 2013

Franck Ribéry, the former Bayern Munich winger and a prominent figure in French football, wasted no time in responding to Ronaldo's remarks. Taking to Instagram, Ribéry sarcastically posted, "So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d'Or?", accompanied by a series of laughing emojis.

Ribéry's strong reaction is deeply rooted in his own contentious history with the Ballon d'Or. The Frenchman famously believes he was "stolen" the award in 2013. In that year, Ribéry enjoyed an incredibly successful season, winning the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, and Club World Cup with Bayern Munich. He was also crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe. However, despite his unprecedented quadruple, the Ballon d'Or ultimately went to Cristiano Ronaldo, who had won no major trophies that year.

To this day, Ribéry remains vocally furious about what he perceives as a profound injustice, having called it "an injustice" and claiming he "could not have done any better." His recent broadside at Ronaldo is therefore not merely a defense of Lamine Yamal but also a re-opening of old wounds and a renewed challenge to the perceived criteria and integrity of the Ballon d'Or award.

Ribéry's criticism highlights a long-standing debate within football about the balance between individual brilliance and team success in determining the Ballon d'Or winner. His passionate response serves as a reminder that for many, the award's value extends beyond mere trophy counts, emphasizing the impact and consistency of a player's performance throughout an entire season. The ongoing discussion between these footballing legends underscores the deep-seated opinions and often personal connections to what many consider the sport's most coveted