Why Did Ronaldo Stay Silent on Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or Triumph?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony crowned Ousmane Dembélé as world football’s best, with the PSG winger dedicating his triumph emotionally to fans and teammates. But one absence in the aftermath caught global attention — Cristiano Ronaldo’s silence. The legendary forward, often quick to congratulate or comment on major football milestones, has remained noticeably quiet.

Key Tactical Shifts

• Dembélé’s victory disrupted expectations, with many anticipating Messi, Mbappé, or Haaland to dominate the race.
• Ronaldo’s omission from the top spots may have influenced his decision not to engage.
• Fans believe his silence hints at lingering frustration with the Ballon d’Or voting system.

Why It Matters

• Ronaldo’s voice carries enormous weight; his silence is as powerful as a public statement.
• The Portuguese icon has long been in direct rivalry with Lionel Messi for the award, but this time a new face — Dembélé — took the crown.
• Questions are now being asked: Is Ronaldo distancing himself from an award he once fought tirelessly to win?

Player and Manager Insights

While Ronaldo himself has not commented, PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos fired a strong warning at critics:

“If Dembélé doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, those voting show incompetence.”

That bold statement now fuels the idea that Ronaldo’s silence is not just accidental, but deliberate.

Opponent Context

• Dembélé’s win shakes up the power balance of world football, possibly marking the beginning of a new era away from the Messi–Ronaldo duopoly.
• With Ballon d’Or politics under the microscope, future contenders like Mbappé and Haaland will be watching reactions closely.

Stats and Data

• Dembélé’s stellar 2024/25 season included major silverware and consistent match-winning displays.
• Ronaldo, now in the twilight of his career, did not crack the top five rankings.
• Social media engagement spiked as fans debated why Ronaldo refrained from public acknowledgment, with thousands of mentions trending under #RonaldoSilent.

Conclusion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision not to celebrate Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or victory has opened the door to speculation. Whether a mark of disapproval, personal choice, or simple circumstance, his silence underscores the shifting dynamics of football’s highest individual honor.