Created in 1956, the award initially focused on European players competing in European leagues. That changed in 1995, when nationality restrictions were removed, before the modern framework expanded eligibility further in 2007.
Today, players are judged on individual performance, team achievements and their conduct, rather than the continent where they earn their weekly club football. Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or wins underline how strongly his career already fits that standard.
The report’s clarification therefore removes a misconception, not the competitive disadvantage attached to playing outside Europe.
European-based candidates still benefit from the Champions League, deeper media coverage and regular meetings with the continent’s strongest teams. Those high-profile fixtures often shape the narrative around individual awards.
The report says 18 recent men’s winners were playing for European clubs when they collected the prize. Lionel Messi, who won in 2023 while at Inter Miami, is the notable exception, although his campaign for Paris Saint-Germain remained part of the case.
That record points to the real hurdle for Ronaldo: visibility and elite opposition, not the regulations.
The report describes Ronaldo, now 41, as having won a Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr while continuing his pursuit of 1,000 goals. Those milestones keep his name prominent, but a serious Ballon d’Or challenge would require more than volume.
He would need a sustained scoring run, decisive performances in major matches and a trophy that commands attention beyond Saudi Arabia. Continued involvement with Portugal could also provide a larger international stage.
The next Al-Nassr campaign and Portugal’s upcoming high-profile fixtures will define the argument. The door remains open; turning eligibility into a genuine sixth-award case will require performances impossible for voters to overlook.