Cristiano Ronaldo recently voiced his concerns over the fairness of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which he felt overlooked deserving players.
The former Real Madrid star made it clear that in his view, Vinicius Jr should have been the one to claim the prestigious award in October.
Ronaldo made these comments while attending the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, where the conversation around the Ballon d’Or was already buzzing.
Rodri Responds to Ronaldo’s Criticism
Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or this year, has now responded to Ronaldo’s claims.
The Manchester City midfielder expressed surprise at Ronaldo’s statement, given his own experience with the award.
“It was a surprise because Ronaldo knows better than anyone how this award works and how the winner is chosen,” Rodri shared in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS.
Rodri went on to explain that the award is determined by journalists who vote for their preferred winner each year.
“This year, the journalists decided that I should win it.
I imagine they were also the same ones who voted for him in the past, and he probably agreed with their decision then,” he added.
Rodri’s Impressive Achievements
Rodri’s win at the Ballon d’Or came after a remarkable year, which saw him play a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic achievement of winning four consecutive Premier League titles.
On top of that, Rodri was an essential part of Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, making his achievement even more impressive.
His triumph marked a significant moment, as he became the first Premier League player to win the award since Ronaldo’s 2008 victory with Manchester United.
However, the award ceremony wasn’t without controversy.
Real Madrid, who had been hopeful that Vinicius would claim the Ballon d’Or, withdrew a 50-person delegation just hours before the event.
Rumors suggested that the Spanish club had been informed that Vinicius, who had been the bookies’ favorite, was not the winner.
Vinicius Jr’s Recognition Beyond the Ballon d’Or
While Vinicius Jr may not have claimed the Ballon d’Or, his talent didn’t go unnoticed.
Following the ceremony, the Brazilian forward was named the Best FIFA Men’s Player and also received recognition at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius continues to be celebrated for his outstanding performances throughout 2024.