The football world has been buzzing since November 2024 when Manchester City midfielder Rodri controversially claimed the coveted Ballon d’Or award. The decision sparked immediate debate, culminating in vocal criticism from five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Rodri has since delivered a resounding response on the grandest stage, leading Spain to World Cup glory and reasserting his undeniable class.

Ronaldo’s public criticism

The controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d’Or was palpable even before the ceremony, with Real Madrid boycotting the event in protest over Vinicius Junior’s expected omission from the top prize. Cristiano Ronaldo, speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards where Vinicius Jr. was crowned Best Men’s Player, didn’t shy away from expressing his strong disagreement with Rodri’s win.

“Vini did a fantastic job and in my opinion, he deserved to win the Ballon D’Or, it was unfair in my opinion, I’m saying it in front of everybody,” Ronaldo stated. “They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but I think they should’ve given it to Vini because he won the Champions League and scored in the Champions League final. When you deserve, you should give it to who deserves. This gala always does the same thing, this is why I love Globe Soccer, continue to do this gala because it’s an honest award and it’s very good.” His comments, reported by GiveMeSport, reignited the debate over the award’s fairness and selection process.

Almost a week after Ronaldo’s remarks, Rodri offered a measured reply in an interview with Spanish outlet AS. The Manchester City star acknowledged the surprise but also subtly questioned Ronaldo’s stance given his own history with the award.

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“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 told AS, cited by GiveMeSport. “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.”

World Cup vindication

Despite the off-field noise and a serious ACL injury suffered during the season, Rodri’s focus remained firmly on his performance. His leadership and midfield dominance were instrumental in Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign. La Roja overcame Argentina 1-0 in a tense extra-time final, with Rodri at the heart of their success. His stellar performances throughout the tournament were recognized with the Golden Ball award, designating him as the World Cup’s best player. This individual accolade, coupled with team glory, served as a powerful testament to his world-class credentials, arguably providing the most emphatic response to his critics.

Rodri’s journey from controversial Ballon d’Or winner to World Cup champion and Golden Ball recipient has been a remarkable one. While the debate over individual awards will likely continue, his recent achievements have firmly cemented his place among football’s elite, silencing doubters and solidifying his standing as one of the game’s most influential figures.

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