
By Martin Graham | 2nd Jan 2025
Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri has addressed feedback from Cristiano Ronaldo, who just lately criticized the choice to award the 2024 Ballon d’Or to the Spaniard as an alternative of Vinicius Junior. The controversy follows heated debates over the legitimacy of the outcomes, which precipitated Actual Madrid to boycott the ceremony altogether.
Ronaldo’s criticism of Ballon d’Or final result
Vinicius Junior entered the Ballon d’Or race as a powerful favourite after an distinctive season with Actual Madrid. The Brazilian performed a key function within the membership’s exceptional La Liga and Champions League triumphs, elevating expectations of a person award. Nonetheless, hours earlier than the ceremony, it grew to become evident that Vinicius wouldn’t declare the celebrated accolade, a improvement that led Actual Madrid to skip the occasion in protest.
Whereas Vinicius finally secured The Finest FIFA Males’s Participant title, many – together with Ronaldo – voiced their disapproval of the Ballon d’Or final result. Talking on the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards, the 39-year-old Portuguese star labeled the choice “unfair.” He said, “Vinicius Junior ought to have received the Ballon d’Or. For me, it was apparent. For this reason I favor the Globe Soccer Awards – they’re extra clear.”
Rodri defends his recognition
Rodri, who was instrumental in Manchester Metropolis’s unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, responded to Ronaldo’s remarks. In an interview with AS, the 27-year-old highlighted the irony of Ronaldo’s stance given his personal historical past with the award.
“I discovered it stunning,” Rodri commented. “Ronaldo understands higher than anybody how the Ballon d’Or course of works and the way the winner is chosen. This yr, the journalists who vote determined I deserved the honour. Apparently, many of those identical journalists seemingly voted for him previously, and I think about he didn’t query their resolution then.”
Rodri’s significance to Manchester Metropolis has been additional emphasised by the crew’s struggles throughout his current damage absence. His performances all through the season solidified his fame as some of the dependable midfielders in world soccer.
A story of two awards
Whereas the Ballon d’Or is set by 100 journalists, The Finest FIFA Males’s Participant award includes a broader voting pool that features coaches, gamers, and followers. This distinction has fueled ongoing debates in regards to the credibility and equity of each accolades. For Vinicius, lacking out on the Ballon d’Or stays a sore level regardless of his FIFA honor.
Because the controversy continues, Rodri’s calm but agency rebuttal to Ronaldo’s critique underscores his satisfaction with the popularity of his contributions throughout an distinctive yr for each membership and nation.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author