The Ballon d'Or is no stranger to controversy, and this year's award has certainly sparked some heated discussion. In a recent turn of events, Manchester City star Rodri found himself at the center of attention after Cristiano Ronaldo criticized the decision to award him the prestigious trophy over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or recipient, voiced his displeasure, claiming it was "unfair" that Vinicius Jr. didn't win despite his contributions to La Liga and Champions League success. This comment didn’t sit well with Rodri, who had an impressive season, leading his club to Premier League and Euro 2024 victories.
In response, Rodri didn’t hold back. Speaking to Diario AS, he addressed Ronaldo's remarks head-on, saying, "[Ronaldo] knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen." He pointed out that the award is decided through an open, democratic process based on votes from journalists around the world.
Rodri further emphasized that the same journalists who voted for him likely voted for Ronaldo in the past, suggesting that Ronaldo should be more understanding of the process and outcome. "Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win, and I imagine that then he would agree."
This exchange has certainly added more intrigue to the Ballon d'Or's legacy, highlighting the subjective nature of awards and the passionate opinions they evoke. As fans and pundits weigh in, one thing is clear: the Ballon d'Or remains one of football's most coveted and debated accolades.
No comments:
Post a Comment