Rodri Responds to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Claim About Ballon d’Or Win Over Vinicius Jr Being ‘Unfair’

Manchester City star Rodri has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim that his Ballon d’Or win was “unfair,” giving a calm and clear reply.

Rodri, 28, won the Ballon d’Or on October 28, 2024, after an outstanding season where he helped Manchester City win the Premier League and led Spain to victory at Euro 2024. However, Ronaldo felt Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. deserved the award instead.

Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Ronaldo said, “Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior – this younger generation is doing an amazing job. In my opinion, they deserve to win the Ballon d’Or. It wasn’t fair, in my opinion. Rodri deserved it too, but I think Vinicius Jr. should have won because he scored in the Champions League final and won the trophy.”

In a report by Sport Bible, Rodri responded to Ronaldo’s remarks during an interview with Spanish newspaper AS. “It was a surprise because he knows how this award works and how the winner is chosen,” Rodri said.

“This year, the journalists decided I should win it. These are probably the same journalists who voted for him to win in the past, and I’m sure he agreed with them back then.”

Despite being injured since September, Rodri’s incredible performances for club and country made him one of the top players in the world. His calm reply shows he values the recognition but respects other opinions.

Vinicius Jr., a fan favorite for the award, played a key role in Real Madrid’s Champions League win, scoring in the final. Ronaldo’s praise for the young Brazilian highlights his growing impact in football.

Rodri’s response reflects his humble attitude, while the debate over who deserved the award continues among fans and pundits. Both Rodri and Vinicius Jr. remain two of the best players shaping the future of football.