Real Madrid great slams Ballon d’Or for losing credibility – ‘Vinicius should have won’ | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo, former Real Madrid star and one of the greatest footballers of all time, recently shared his views on the current state of football during an interview with La Sexta.

He did not hold back when discussing the Ballon d’Or, expressing that Vinicius Junior should be the top contender for the award. Ronaldo emphasised that the process behind selecting winners often lacks credibility.

“There is no credibility, Vinicius should be the Ballon d’Or [winner].”

Reflecting on his personal experiences with the award, he admitted feeling frustrated on several occasions, though time has helped him gain perspective on the matter.

I have felt it many times and I felt angry, with time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Speaking on Real Madrid’s exit

When asked about his departure from Real Madrid, Ronaldo shed light on the circumstances that led to his exit. He acknowledged that the club president agreed to his departure, but negotiations were not handled in a way he found respectful.

Cristiano Ronaldo says Vinicius Jr. should have won the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

“The president accepted my departure, although he did not treat me very well when negotiating. He wanted to go back, but I could no longer do so.”

Although he moved on, Ronaldo maintains a level of admiration and respect for Florentino Perez.

“I appreciate and respect Florentino, I speak to him from time to time and I do not rule out returning one day when my career is over and doing something cool.”

Advice for Mbappe

Meanwhile, Ronaldo also had advice for Kylian Mbappe, specifically regarding his position on the field. According to Ronaldo, Mbappe is not naturally suited to play as a traditional striker.

However, he believes Mbappe has the qualities to thrive in that role if guided correctly. Drawing from his own experience, Ronaldo explained how he adapted to the striker position over time despite not being a conventional number nine.

He stressed that unpredictability is key to succeeding as a striker, and Mbappe possesses the talent needed to excel. Ronaldo expressed his admiration for the young Frenchman and encouraged Real Madrid to nurture and protect him.