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Cristiano Ronaldo wades into Ballon d'Or debate as he issues warning over Lamine Yamal - 'Let the kid grow'
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Published 07/06/2025 at 19:09 GMT+1
While many have tipped Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by winning the Ballon d'Or, the legendary Portuguese forward has aired his views on the criteria that should define the winner of the award. Ronaldo namechecked two Paris Saint-Germain players who he thinks can be in with a chance of taking home the individual gong.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has given his view on the Ballon d'Or debate, by making a suggestion on the criteria for the winner.
Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha have been linked with the prestigious award, with the Paris Saint-Germain duo being part of the side that blew away Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday, while Barcelona were knocked out by the Italian side in the semi-finals of the competition.
Meanwhile, Spain international Lamine Yamal has been exceptional for Barcelona this season as Hansi Flick guided the team to the La Liga title.
The teenager notched 18 goals and provided 25 assists - but Ronaldo suggested that those who lift the Ballon d’Or should have won the Champions League in the same year.
Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, most recently in 2017, told reporters: "Lamine Yamal is doing very well, he is taking full advantage of his talent.
"Now let the kid grow and don’t put too much pressure on him. Let him be and let him grow well, take the pressure off him. He has no shortage of talent.
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"The individual awards have lost some consensus; I can’t say anything about who should win. In my opinion, those who stand out and win the Champions League should win.
"But there is no consensus. I don’t believe much in individual awards because I know what goes on behind the scenes.
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"Lamine could win, like Dembele or Vitinha, other emerging players… but individual awards are irrelevant."
Ronaldo and Yamal are due to play against one another when Portugal take on Spain in Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final.
As rumours continue to swirl around his club future, the Portugal captain confirmed on Saturday that he did not expect to feature in this summer's Club World Cup.
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