The selection of the Ballon d’Or 2024 remains a contentious topic. Just four days after Rodri was awarded the honor in Paris, a journalist disclosed the surprising rationale behind choosing Rodri over Vinicius Jr.
Many consider Vinicius Jr. to have been the standout player of the previous season. As a key contributor to his team’s victories in La Liga, the Supercopa de España, and the Champions League, he clearly outperformed his rivals. However, these accomplishments were not enough for the voters, who opted for Rodri, noted for his outstanding performances during Euro 2024 with the Spanish national team.
Despite winning only the Premier League with Manchester City, Rodri has been widely regarded by many journalists as the world’s best player. After receiving the award at the Théâtre du Châtelet, he expressed his gratitude to France Football and UEFA, emphasizing the significance of the moment for himself, his family, and his country. He thanked his partner, Laura, on their wedding anniversary, and acknowledged the crucial role his family played in shaping his character, as well as thanking his agent, Pablo, and his Manchester City teammates.
Polish journalist Maciej Iwanski, one of the Ballon d’Or voters, stirred controversy by revealing his voting criteria. He stated that he chose Rodri based on personal attributes rather than purely sporting achievements, citing Rodri’s class, fair play, university education, and humility. His comments quickly sparked debate online, as many found it difficult to justify that such factors could influence such an important decision. Critics pointed out that while Rodri’s Premier League success and impact at the Euro might seem like solid reasons for his award, this argument weakens when considering other candidates, such as Dani Carvajal, who also holds Champions League and European titles and could equally deserve recognition.
