In the race for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, Rodri successfully won the award by defeating Vinicius. After becoming the first Ballon d'Or winner from the 90s generation, there were various opinions about the competition for this year's Ballon d'Or. As a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo also shared his views, supporting Vinicius to win the award. Now, Rodri is standing up to Ronaldo to defend his Ballon d'Or. Official response! Rodri talks about the Ballon d'Or again, leaving Ronaldo embarrassed.
At the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, Ronaldo openly stated: "Vinicius should have won the Ballon d'Or; it's unfair that he didn't. I say this in front of everyone. Rodri deserves the award, but Vinicius even more so. Because Vinicius has a Champions League title and scored in the final."
Vinicius won the Best Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards, to which Ronaldo commented: "Awards should be given to those who truly deserve them, but these awards always do the same thing. The Globe Soccer Awards are a truly honest honor, which is why I like the Globe Soccer Awards; keep it going." While saying this, Ronaldo gave a thumbs up to the Globe Soccer Awards. Apparently, Ronaldo is questioning Rodri's win and the Ballon d'Or, believing that the Globe Soccer Awards are more authoritative.
During an interview with AS, Rodri was asked about Ronaldo's doubts. Rodri said: "Ronaldo's comments surprised me because he understands the workings of the Ballon d'Or better than anyone else, knowing how the winners are selected." Rodri also mentioned: "The journalists voting for this year's Ballon d'Or supported me winning the award. These journalists may have voted for Ronaldo in the past, and I think he agreed at the time."
Rodri's response was sharp. He believes that he was voted as the winner, and that Ronaldo clearly understands the selection mechanism of the Ballon d'Or. The ultimate winner of the Ballon d'Or represents the stance of the majority, and Ronaldo has been recognized by more Ballon d'Or judges on five occasions. Rodri thinks that Ronaldo affirmed the Ballon d'Or when he won, feeling happy about receiving the award, so he cannot now say that the Ballon d'Or is not authoritative or fair when he hasn't won in recent years.
In fact, Ronaldo's high praise for the Globe Soccer Awards is also for a reason, as he has been named the Globe Soccer Awards' Player of the Year six times, while Messi only won in 2015. Ronaldo leads Messi 6-1 in the Globe Soccer Awards' Best Player category, and he has also been named the Best Player of the 21st Century by the Globe Soccer Awards. Ronaldo, who trails Messi 5-8 in the Ballon d'Or, has far surpassed Messi in the Globe Soccer Awards.