Made aware of Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments about the 2024 Ballon d’Or trophy he received, Rodri wasted no time in delivering a scathing rebuttal. Speaking to AS this first Thursday of 2025, the Spaniard responded decisively.
Present at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony at the very end of last year, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines with his striking remarks. Beyond his criticism and controversial statements about the French Ligue 1, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not mince his words when discussing the latest edition of the Ballon d’Or. While Vinícius Júnior is widely regarded as the best player in the world by the public and a large section of football analysts, the France Football and UEFA voting panel surprised many by crowning Rodri. While this decision delighted some Spaniards, CR7 and Real Madrid supporters were left in disbelief.
Rodri’s unexpected response to CR7
Speaking candidly in Dubai during the final week of 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo openly criticised the title awarded to Rodri. He explicitly stated that Vinícius Júnior was the rightful winner, provoking the ire of the Manchester City player. Shortly after the start of 2025, Rodri spoke to the daily newspaper AS. In his cutting response, the 28-year-old midfielder expressed surprise at CR7’s remarks, pointing out that Ronaldo, too, had won Ballon d’Or trophies thanks to the France Football voting panel.
“What do I think of his words? Well, it was truly surprising, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, most importantly, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who voted decided I deserved to win it. These are probably the same journalists who, at some point, voted for his victories, and I imagine that when he won, he accepted the trophy,” Rodri said, addressing Ronaldo at the start of the year.
A response sparking controversy
While some have applauded this reply, many others have raised questions about unspoken issues. Highlighting the fact that most other major awards, including FIFA’s, named Vinícius Júnior the best player of 2024, football observers have argued that Rodri would be better off staying silent rather than responding to Cristiano, who won his five Ballon d’Or titles when there were more voters, including key football stakeholders. It is worth noting that this year, France Football entrusted its award deliberation to a panel of around 100 journalists.
Moreover, without neutrality, several pro-Catalan journalists—natural rivals of Real Madrid—cast bizarre votes, omitting Vinícius Júnior from their top rankings, which is considered an absolute scandal. With Rodri now being one of the few Ballon d’Or winners not to subsequently win other awards recognising the best players in the same year, it is clear that CR7’s comments are widely shared. Nevertheless, one can understand Rodri’s attempts to defend his honour and his trophy at all costs.
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