Real Madrid legend Ronaldo Nazario has made his thoughts on the 2024 Ballon d’Or clear, naming his “real winner” after Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the prestigious award.

Rodri’s victory followed an incredible season, during which he helped City win the Premier League and secured the European Championship with Spain. However, his triumph did not sit well with Real Madrid, whose players and officials notably skipped the ceremony in protest over Vinicius Jr.’s exclusion from the top prize.

Vinicius Jr. had an exceptional campaign, playing a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals across all competitions. His contributions left many, including Ronaldo, feeling he deserved the Ballon d’Or more than Rodri.

“Without detracting from Rodri, Vinicius had to win the Ballon d’Or,” Ronaldo told Marca. “It has missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world. He was much more decisive last season.”

Surprisingly, Ronaldo added another twist to his verdict. While acknowledging Vinicius’ brilliance, the Brazilian icon cheekily declared that the true winner wasn’t even a player:

“What am I going to say if the real Ballon d’Or winner is Florentino Perez? He is a father to me. He taught me a lot and gave me everything in the world of football.”

This playful nod to the Real Madrid president underscores Ronaldo’s admiration for Perez’s influence on his career and the club. However, it also highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding Real Madrid’s absence from the Paris ceremony, where their protest spoke volumes.

Florentino Perez, a polarizing figure as the architect of Madrid’s Galacticos era and a vocal proponent of the European Super League, likely would have attended if Ronaldo’s “winner” pick had been taken seriously. Instead, Rodri’s crowning moment remains controversial, especially in the eyes of Madridistas and Vinicius Jr. supporters worldwide.