Rodri Reacts To Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comments Against His Ballon d’Or Win

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri said he is surprised by the comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his Ballon d’Or win in 2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, mentioned that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was deserving of the award, labeling the results as “unfair.”

“Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or; in my opinion, it was clear. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards; they are honest,” Ronaldo said, during his remarks at the Globe Soccer Awards last month.

In response, Rodri shared his thoughts with AS, saying, “I was quite surprised because Cristiano knows well how the voting process works and how the award is determined. This year, the journalists who voted decided that I would be the recipient of the award. I hope he recognizes that the same journalists who voted for him in the past came to this conclusion.”

Rodri also discussed a conversation he had with Mateo Kovacic about the unique celebrations surrounding the Ballon d’Or in Madrid.

Having won the 2024 award ahead of Vinicius Junior, Rodri emphasized his appreciation for the experience, especially given Kovacic’s background as a former Real Madrid player. Kovacic played at the club during the years when both Luka Modric (2018) and Ronaldo (2016 and 2017) took home the honor.

Reflecting on his discussions with Kovacic about the Ballon d’Or, Rodri noted, “It’s truly remarkable. Kovacic shared his experiences from the Ballon d’Or parties in Madrid, and he mentioned that he had never witnessed anything similar. Manchester City creates an incredible atmosphere for its players, and I am extremely grateful for the recognition and treatment I have received here.”