"I still don't quite understand the criteria used for awarding it" - Francesco Totti shares his thoughts on the Ballon d'Or award

Francesco Totti has stated that he has no idea how Ballon d'Or winners are selected. He added that the criteria is confusing and wonders if only players from clubs who have won trophies are given preference.

Speaking to Betsson, Totti recalled that the closest he got to winning the Ballon d'Or was in the 2000-01 season. He admitted that the France Football award was never his priority during his playing days and said:

"It's one of the most prestigious trophies in football, but I never prioritized it. I still don't quite understand the criteria used for awarding it. Is the winner the strongest player, or is it the one who has won more titles with their team? The closest I got to winning this title was in 2000-2001. Had we won the European Championship, perhaps the situation would have been different."

The Ballon d'Or award for this year is set to be given out later this month, with Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham leading the race. Rodri and Dani Carvajal are also said to be in the mix, but the attendance of the two Spaniards at the gala is doubtful as both are dealing with ACL injuries.

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Cristiano Ronaldo questioned the credibility of Ballon d'Or award

Cristiano Ronaldo questioned the credibility of the Ballon d'Or after Lionel Messi won it last year. He said the numbers do not lie and that they show he should have been in the mix for the award.

Ronaldo told RECORD:

"It's not to say that Messi didn't deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the numbers are there and the numbers don't deceive. You have to consider the entire season. The numbers are facts. If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost... But the truth is that I focused and had a great period at Al Nassr, that's why I scored 54 goals".

Cristiano Ronaldo has not made it to the top 30 of the Ballon d’Or in the last two years.

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