AFCON 2025
Manchester City midfielder, Rodri has addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments suggesting that Vinícius Júnior was more deserving of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo, speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, labeled Rodri’s win as “unfair,” advocating for Vinícius, who had a standout season with Real Madrid, including a Champions League victory and a goal in the final.
In response, Rodri expressed surprise at Ronaldo’s remarks, emphasizing the integrity of the award’s voting process.
He noted that the journalists responsible for selecting the winner likely supported Ronaldo during his own Ballon d’Or successes.
Rodri stated, “He [Ronaldo] better than anyone knows how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who voted considered that I should win it. These same journalists probably voted for him at some point, and I imagine he would have agreed then.”
Rodri’s achievements in 2024 include securing the Premier League title with Manchester City and winning the UEFA European Championship with Spain, accomplishments that contributed to his Ballon d’Or recognition.
Despite the ongoing debate, Rodri remains focused on his recovery from an ACL injury, aiming to return to the pitch later this season.
