“Common for Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to take it” – Wesley Sneijder explains how Ballon d’Or criteria have changed since his playing days
Wesley Sneijder has claimed that during his days, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were the only two realistic candidates for the Ballon d’Or. According to the former Dutch midfielder, the criteria for the coveted individual accolade have evolved over the years.
Sneijder said that earlier, the Ballon d’Or was given to the best player in the world; as a result, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were the likely candidates for the prize. However, now, the entire season is taken into consideration by the deciding committee before crowning the champion.
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The former Real Madrid midfielder said during his recent interview with Spanish outlet MARCA:
“Now the Ballon d’Or is valued differently. The entire season is taken into account. In my time, the question was simple: who was the best player in the world? It was quite common for Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to take it.
“Nowadays, the season and the achievements are valued more, and for me, that makes more sense. This way, there is a better chance that other players will win it,” he added.
Wesley Sneijder’s best finish in the Ballon d’Or race came in 2010, when he finished fourth behind Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, respectively. The Dutchman won the Serie A, the UEFA Champions League, Coppa Italia, the Italian Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan in 2010.
Additionally, the Netherlands also finished as the runner-up in the FIFA World Cup, losing to Spain in the final. Last year, during an interview at the World Cup of ESports (via FCInter1908), the Dutchman claimed that he was ‘robbed’ of the Ballon d’Or in 2010.
When Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that he wants to win more Ballon d’Or awards than Lionel Messi
While playing for Juventus in September 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo showed his desire to win more Ballon d’Or awards than Lionel Messi. During that time, both football icons had five titles each, with the 2018 Ballon d’Or going to Luka Modric.
The Portuguese forward said during ITV’s Cristiano Ronaldo meets Piers Morgan (via BBC):
“Messi’s in the history of football – but I think I have to have six or seven or eight to be above him. I’d love it, I think I deserve it.”
The former Manchester United attacker failed to win even a single Ballon d’Or award afterwards. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi won three more titles in 2019, 2021, and 2023, bringing his total to eight.
Currently in the twilight phase of their professional careers, Ronaldo is playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League while Messi is captaining MLS side Inter Miami. The two football icons are also preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place next summer in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava
