Cristiano Ronaldo recently made headlines at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where he criticized the 2024 Ballon d’Or decision. Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the prestigious accolade, argued that Vinícius Jr., who won the Champions League and scored in the final, should have been the recipient instead of Manchester City’s Rodri.
Ronaldo stated, “It was unfair in my opinion. I say this in front of everybody. They gave it to Rodri, and while he deserved it too, Vinícius should have won for his performances.” He went on to praise the Globe Soccer Awards as “honest” while taking a subtle jab at the Ballon d’Or process, saying, “You know these galas, they always do the same thing.”
Rodri, who has been sidelined since September with an ACL injury, responded to Ronaldo’s remarks in an interview with Spanish outlet AS. “It was a surprise, really,” Rodri said. “He knows better than anyone how this award works and how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who vote decided I should win. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who voted for him to win in the past.”
The Ballon d’Or decision sparked debate among football fans, with many weighing the merits of Rodri’s consistency and Vinícius’ key contributions to Real Madrid’s Champions League victory.
Rodri’s absence has also been deeply felt by Manchester City. Since his injury in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions have struggled for form, securing only two wins in their last 13 games. Manager Pep Guardiola has lamented the loss of his midfield anchor, with the team’s performances reflecting the gap left by Rodri’s absence.
The Globe Soccer Awards event, held in Dubai, was attended by footballing stars such as Neymar, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr. Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, also made an appearance, enjoying the perks of Dubai’s hospitality as part of the city’s promotional efforts.
