Manchester City midfielder Rodri has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of the Ballon d’Or award, specifically targeting Ronaldo’s comments regarding Vinicius Jr.’s win. The outspoken Rodri, in an interview with Diario AS, directly addressed Ronaldo’s remarks made at the Globe Soccer Awards.
At the awards ceremony in the Middle East, Ronaldo stated, “Vinicius should have won the Ballon d’Or. Rodrigo deserved it too, but Vinicius won the Champions League and scored in the final. Other things aren’t important to me; when someone deserves it, you have to choose a fair winner. In my opinion, and I don’t mind saying it, it was unfair.”
Rodri’s response was pointed and insightful: “He [Ronaldo] better than anyone knows how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who voted considered that I should win it. These same journalists probably voted for him at some point, and I imagine he would have agreed then.” This cleverly highlights Ronaldo’s own past Ballon d’Or wins and suggests a degree of hypocrisy in his criticism.
The interview also touched on Rodri’s own injury recovery and his determination to return to the pitch this season. He described himself as “someone who recovers well and has a positive mentality,” emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude in his rehabilitation. He confidently stated, “They said that the mental aspect was very important in the recovery. I’m saying everything is going very well. Of course, I want to play again this season.” This section provides a balanced look at his personal situation, moving away from the controversy to focus on personal achievement and recovery.
Ronaldo’s comments ignited a heated debate about the merits of the Ballon d’Or voting process and the criteria used to select the winner. While Vinicius Jr.‘s Champions League triumph and decisive goal in the final certainly bolster his case, many felt that Rodri’s consistent excellence throughout the season also warranted serious consideration. The debate highlights the subjective nature of such awards, where individual brilliance often competes against collective achievement.
Rodri’s response shows his growing stature within the soccer world. His confident and measured response to Ronaldo’s criticism demonstrates his self-assurance and willingness to engage in public debate. His comments also reflect a broader sentiment among many football fans and analysts who feel the Ballon d’Or voting can be inconsistent and occasionally overlook deserving players.
The contrasting perspectives of Rodri and Ronaldo offer an interesting insight into the subjective nature of evaluating individual performances and accomplishments. While Ronaldo focused on specific moments of glory like Champions League wins and final goals, Rodri seems to emphasize consistent excellence over the course of a season. Both approaches have merit, but the debate underscores the difficulty of definitively choosing a single “best player” in a sport filled with exceptional talent.
