Cristiano Ronaldo Slams Ballon d'Or, Says Vinicius Jr. Was More Deserving of the Golden Ball

The 2024 Ballon d'Or was controversially awarded to Manchester City's Rodri nearly two months ago, and the debate over its fairness and transparency is still going strong. Even Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in, slamming the award and insisting that Vinicius Junior was the more deserving winner.

Rodri's 2024 Ballon d'Or win, following his key role in Manchester City's fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, sparked plenty of debate. Many in the football world felt Vinicius Junior was unfairly overlooked for the prestigious award. Since the snub, Vinicius has picked up two major individual honors. In November, FIFA named him Men’s Player of the Year, and a month later, he took home the same award at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. Cristiano Ronaldo, also at the ceremony, was honored with the Best Middle-East Player award. 

During his acceptance speech, Ronaldo made it clear where he stood, saying, “In my opinion, Vinicius deserved to win the Golden Ball (Ballon d’Or). It was unfair. They gave it to Rodri, and while he deserved it too, Vinicius won the Champions League and scored in the final.” He didn’t hold back on his thoughts about the Ballon d'Or, adding, “You know these galas, they always do the same thing. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards—they are honest.” When asked about Ronaldo's comments, Vinicius had a humble yet confident response: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s words about the Ballon d’Or? If Cristiano said I’m the best, then I am!” 

The Ballon d'Or is determined by a panel of journalists from all over the globe, but it’s been facing increasing criticism for its lack of transparency and the influence of biases, whether media-driven or based on personal preferences. In contrast, the Globe Soccer Awards use a dual-voting system, involving both fans and football experts. The expert panel is made up of former players, managers, and journalists, which helps ensure a more well-rounded and transparent process. This approach takes into account a broader range of contributions from different aspects of the game, leading to a judgment that's seen as more comprehensive and fair.

Vinicius was a standout performer for Real Madrid last season, playing a pivotal role in their double triumph, lifting both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles. He finished the season as the club’s top scorer, netting 24 goals across all competitions. However, his time with Brazil didn't quite live up to expectations. Brazil's Copa America campaign ended in disappointment, with the team crashing out in the quarter-finals after a tough loss to Uruguay. 

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