Rodri has responded to the criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo following his win of the prestigious Ballon d’Or in October. The Manchester City midfielder earned the award after playing a key role in securing City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Ronaldo’s Criticism

At the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, expressed his dissatisfaction with the award decision. He suggested that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. deserved to win instead, stating, “Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or; in my opinion, it was clear. It was unfair. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards; they are honest.”

Despite Rodri’s achievements, Ronaldo felt that recognition should have gone to Vinicius, who had a significant impact for Real Madrid in 2024.

Rodri’s ResponseWhen asked about Ronaldo’s comments in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Rodri admitted he was surprised. “Well, it was a surprise, really, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen,” Rodri said.

He elaborated on the selection process for the Ballon d’Or, noting, “This year, the journalists who vote have decided that I should win it. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win it, and I imagine that then he would have agreed.”

A Controversial Victory

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win was not without controversy. The Real Madrid delegation, unhappy with the outcome, withdrew from the ceremony just hours before it started. Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr. was later honored as the Best FIFA Men’s Player and also received accolades at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, where he was named the best footballer of the year.