Despite scoring freely, Ronaldo has been overlooked for three consecutive years; he considers the Ballon d'Or a fiction.

The 30-person shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d'Or has been revealed, and at 40 years old, Ronaldo, who has been scoring heavily for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is absent from the nominations for the third consecutive year. During an interview, the 40-year-old Ronaldo reverted to a childlike state, once again attacking the Ballon d'Or, questioning its fairness, and expressing his views on the award.

In a friendly match where Al Nassr triumphed 4-0 over Rio Ave, Ronaldo showcased an incredible performance with a hat-trick, including a header, a volley, and a penalty. After the match, Ronaldo made headlines once again during an interview, stating:What Ballon d'Or? To me, it's fictional.

Ronaldo's comments have sparked significant controversy online. Some fans believe that the superstar of football is being disingenuous; when he won the Ballon d'Or, it was the highest honor, and now that he isn't receiving it, he claims it's fictional and unfair, even suggesting it's less valuable than the Globe Soccer Award. This is a classic case of sour grapes; although Messi also missed the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist, he wouldn't belittle the award because it has brought him unparalleled honor. He wouldn't deny the past or the significance of the Ballon d'Or just because he is aging and his performance is declining. After years of rivalry, the biggest difference between the two is their character; it feels like Ronaldo is acting like a "three-year-old," and in this regard, he is indeed less mature than Messi.