Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has voiced his belief that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior deserved to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or over Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Ronaldo expressed his views during the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards held on Friday in Dubai, where he praised Vinicius’s performances and criticized the Ballon d’Or voting process.
“Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion, it was clear,” Ronaldo stated. “It was unfair. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards; they are honest.”
Vinicius Junior finished second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, with Rodri securing the top spot. The decision led to Vinicius and Real Madrid officials boycotting the award ceremony held in Paris last October.
Ronaldo’s remarks have reignited debates over the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, with many questioning whether Vinicius’s achievements were overlooked.
