As a true Real Madrid legend and one of the greatest left-backs of all time, Marcelo is no stranger to Ballon d'Or winners. After all, former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema all got their hands on the prize.
Having retired in 2025, after leaving Fluminense in late 2024, the Brazilian isn't quite the same relevant figure in football as he was not so long ago. Even so, as a player who reached such great heights – winning five Champions League trophies with Los Blancos – it will always be interesting to hear his opinions on modern stars.
As such, he was recently asked who he thinks will win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are the current favourites, but Marcelo picked a surprise name instead – choosing a man who is unlikely to be tipped for the award by many others.
Marcelo Names His 2025 Ballon d'Or Winner
Real Madrid legend snubbed Barcelona and PSG stars
Speaking in early June, in an interview shared by Spanish outlet AS, and as quoted by Tribuna, he gave his answer in the simplest terms, saying:
“Who should win the Ballon d’Or? Cristiano Ronaldo."
Ronaldo with Marcelo
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Points Per Game
Joint Goal Participations
Major Trophies
ronaldo ballon d'or 2013
While it seems all but certain the five-time winner won't be in the running this year, his biggest fans – and Marcelo appears to be one – would argue that he's still performing at a high level.
In terms of his goal-scoring, Ronaldo certainly hasn't slowed down much. With Al-Nassr last term, he bagged 35 goals, while also chipping in with four assists. And while the Saudi Pro League might not be the most competitive, ranked by AI as the 31st strongest in the world, Al-Hilal's shock Club World Cup win over Manchester City proves that the division's best teams are getting better all the time.
Perhaps what is most impressive, though, is his goal-scoring with Portugal. Ronaldo bagged three goals in four games, from the quarter-finals all the way to the final, as he led his nation to a Nations League triumph earlier this summer. Even so, Marcelo's pick is still quite the surprise, as Ronaldo isn't likely to be in the minds of many when the voting begins for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award.
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Figo Also Picks An Outsider As His Ballon d'Or Favourite
Real Madrid icon named Vitinha
Perhaps it is a bit of a trend for Real Madrid icons to go a little against the grain with their Ballon d'Or picks. After all, Figo recently named Vitinha as his personal favourite. He explained:
"There are several players who deserve the trophy based on their season. My opinion is irrelevant; the person voting is the one who decides. But I like players like Lamine; Vitinha, who has won everything this season; Dembele, who has done very well too… It depends on whether you're looking at individual performance for the Ballon d'Or or the titles you've won.
"It depends on personal taste and what you focus on when awarding this important award. Nothing outside of what people talk about. He's [Vitinha] on the list. He has a chance of winning, but, as I said, it depends on who votes and, of course, what you focus on during the season."
It will certainly be interesting to see who scoops the award come September.
Stats via Transfermarkt - correct as of 02/07/25