Rodri responds to Cristiano Ronaldo’s assertion that the Ballon d’Or was ‘unfair,’ after the five-time winner suggested Vinicius Jr should have won the award over the Manchester City midfielder.

Rodri has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of the Ballon d’Or, calling it “unfair” after the Manchester City midfielder won the prestigious award in October. Ronaldo, speaking at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, questioned the credibility of the Ballon d’Or and argued that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr deserved the honor for his achievements in 2024.

“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 the Globe Soccer Awards—they are honest.”

Rodri, when asked about Ronaldo’s remarks in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, expressed surprise. “Well, it was a surprise, really, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and how the winner is chosen,” Rodri said. “This year, the journalists who vote decided I should win it. These same journalists likely voted for him to win at some point, and I imagine he agreed then.”

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory came after an exceptional season, where he helped Manchester City secure an unprecedented four consecutive top-flight English titles and played a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. The midfielder, who lost just one club game in 18 months, became the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or since Ronaldo did with Manchester United in 2008.

The decision stirred controversy, as Real Madrid reportedly withdrew a 50-strong delegation from the ceremony upon learning Vinicius, who had been the favorite, would not win. While Rodri took the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius went on to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player award and was also honored at the Dubai Globe Soccer

Awards.