Rodri Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo Over Ballon d’Or Controversy

Rodri claps back at Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or criticism! The Man City star didn’t hold back after CR7 called his win “unfair.”

January 2, 2025
5:17 pm

The Ballon d’Or debate continues to spark controversy as Manchester City star Rodri responded sharply to Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of his victory. Rodri, crowned the best player in the world last year, played a pivotal role in City’s treble-winning campaign and was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. However, his win has not been universally applauded.

Ronaldo, a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, publicly questioned the decision to award Rodri the prestigious honor. Speaking earlier, the Portuguese legend said, “In my opinion, Vinicius Jr. deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. It was unfair. They gave it to Rodri, who deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinicius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final.”

In a new interview with AS, Rodri addressed the comments with a subtle but firm rebuttal. “It was a surprise,” he said. “Ronaldo knows better than anyone how this award works and how the winner is chosen. The journalists who vote decided that I should win. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who, at some point, voted for him to win. I imagine that then he would have agreed with the result.”

Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or Snub

Rodri also took a swipe at Real Madrid’s controversial decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony. After Rodri narrowly edged out Vinicius Jr. for the trophy, Madrid’s hierarchy and players opted to skip the event in protest. The Spanish midfielder, however, brushed off their absence, focusing instead on celebrating with those closest to him.

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“It didn’t hurt me that they weren’t present,” Rodri stated. “It was my moment, with my family, and the last thing I thought about was the people who hadn’t come to the gala.” He also revealed that only former Madrid players like Nacho and Joselu had personally congratulated him.

Vinicius Jr., tipped by many as the favorite to win, did not publicly acknowledge Rodri’s victory. However, Rodri made it clear that this lack of recognition didn’t bother him. “I care about my people, my family, and my club. I wouldn’t have done what Madrid did by not attending, but there’s no point thinking about it anymore.”

Rodri’s Injury and Return Plans

Currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, Rodri has set his sights on returning before the end of the season. His absence has been keenly felt by City, but the team remains optimistic as they prepare for their clash against West Ham this weekend at the Etihad.

The controversy surrounding Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory highlights the intense scrutiny that accompanies the prestigious award. While some, like Ronaldo, have aired grievances, Rodri remains unfazed, focusing on his accomplishments and the support from his club and family.