Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, expressed his disappointment on Friday over Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior missing out on this year’s prestigious award. Speaking at the Global Soccer Awards, Ronaldo called the decision to award the prize to Manchester City midfielder Rodri “unfair.”
“In my opinion, he deserved to win the golden ball,” Ronaldo stated. “Rodri deserved it too, but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League.”
Rodri vs. Vinicius: A Tale of Two Seasons
| Player | Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| Rodri | Premier League title, Euro 2024 with Spain |
| Vinicius | Guided Real Madrid to a record 15th Champions League victory |
Rodri, who was instrumental in Manchester City’s fourth straight Premier League triumph and Spain’s Euro 2024 win, edged out Vinicius for the top honor. Meanwhile, the Real Madrid attacker led his side to Champions League glory, a feat that Ronaldo emphasized as deserving of greater recognition.
Ballon d’Or Controversy
The decision was not without backlash, as Real Madrid boycotted the Paris ceremony, further fueling debate. The Ballon d’Or winner is selected by a panel of 100 specialist journalists, but Ronaldo’s comments have added weight to the argument that Vinicius was overlooked.
Ronaldo, himself a former Madrid icon and five-time recipient of the award, reflected on the significance of the Champions League in determining the prize. “Winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for a footballer, and Vinicius played a crucial role in that achievement,” he noted.
With only Lionel Messi’s six wins surpassing Ronaldo’s tally, the Portuguese star’s comments highlight the ongoing debates surrounding the criteria for football’s most prestigious individual accolade.
