Winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri does not only attract praise. The Spanish midfielder reacted to recent criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo, who found his coronation “unfair”.
Between Ballon d’Or winners, we don’t always necessarily understand each other. Last October, France Football awarded the Holy Grail of individual awards to Rodri for his exceptional season with both Manchester City and Spain. A coronation which then caused an earthquake in the elite of European football. Vinicius’ second place upsets Real Madrid and many observers who thought he was the ideal winner. Several months later, the pill is having difficulty passing for Cristiano Ronaldo, a particularly loquacious Merengue legend. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not hesitate to say that Rodri’s victory, although deserved, was unfair to Vinicius’ achievements. In an interview with the Spanish press, the 2024 Ballon d’Or denounces the hypocrisy of the best player in the history of Real.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s words? It’s really a surprise”
« It’s really a surprise, because he knows better than anyone how this prize works and especially how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who voted thought I should win it. These are probably the same journalists who at one point voted for his victory, and I imagine at that time he agreed », Said Rodri in an interview with the Spanish sports daily AS. The Spanish midfielder does not understand how Cristiano Ronaldo can make such comments regarding his victory and thus call into question his title last season.
In the meantime, the Spanish midfielder, still recovering from a serious injury, is enjoying. “ Maybe I didn’t realize it when I won, but it changed my life », he concludes about his victory.
Belgium
