‘FOOTBALL POLITICS’: The 2024 Ballon d’Or has created divisions in the sport as Manchester City’s Rodri and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior vie for recognition.

In a dramatic turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in on the recent Ballon d’Or controversy, asserting that Vinicius Jr. was more deserving of the prestigious award than Manchester City’s Rodri.

The news broke when transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Real Madrid had decided to boycott the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with no representatives from the club, including president Florentino Perez, Vinicius Jr., manager Carlo Ancelotti, or star player Jude Bellingham, making the trip to Paris.

Reports suggest that Rodri was awarded the Ballon d’Or after a stellar season, where he played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s Premier League and FA Cup triumphs, as well as helping Spain secure the Euro 2024 title. In contrast, Vinicius had an exceptional season himself, contributing to Real Madrid’s quadruple success, including scoring in the UEFA Champions League final.

This boycott raises questions about whether Madrid’s actions stem from sour grapes or justified frustration. The ideological divide between the two clubs has been laid bare, revealing loyalties across countries, clubs, and historical rivalries.

As we approach the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, it’s worth reflecting on how the footballing community reacted to last year’s events.

On Rodri’s side, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his pride in Rodri’s achievement, stating, “It’s incredible news for him and of course for all of us, all at City and our fans. We’re so proud of him. It’s the first time.” City legend Sergio Aguero, who has a history with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, added, “Rodri is the best player in the world. Well deserved. Football is for everyone, not just Real Madrid – they are so entitled.” Fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan echoed this sentiment, celebrating Rodri’s recognition as a long-overdue acknowledgment of his talent.

Conversely, Ronaldo, a Real Madrid icon, sided with Vinicius, declaring, “In my opinion, he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair in my opinion. They give it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinicius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final.”

The Real Madrid camp was equally vocal, with midfielder Eduardo Camavinga calling out “FOOTBALL POLITICS” on social media, while the club released a statement criticizing the award’s criteria, suggesting that if Vinicius was not the winner, then Dani Carvajal should have been.

Rodri, in response to Ronaldo’s comments, remarked, “Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important,” and later expressed surprise at Ronaldo’s remarks, emphasizing that the journalists who voted deemed him the winner.

As fate would have it, Manchester City and Real Madrid clashed in the Champions League knockouts shortly after the ceremony. City fans unfurled a banner reading, “Stop crying your heart out,” featuring Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or. Despite the jibe, Madrid advanced in the tie, with Vinicius posting a cryptic response online that hinted at his motivation from the banner.

The debate surrounding the Ballon d’Or criteria continues, with TNT Sports’ Joleon Lescott highlighting the inconsistency in how players are judged. He stated, “I feel Rodri was the most consistent performer over the year and played to his maximum more than Vinicius Junior, more than Jude Bellingham.”

As the footballing world gears up for another round of voting, the question remains: will the 2025 Ballon d’Or be as contentious as its predecessor? With both Rodri and Vinicius boasting impressive accolades, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this ongoing saga.