Vinicius Junior in action© AFP
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday it was “unfair” that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior missed out on this year’s award. Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the prestigious award in October with favorites Vinicius coming second. Rodri helped lead City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain to a Euro 2024 title, while attacker Vinicius led Madrid to a record-extending 15th Champions League title. This year’s ceremony in Paris ran into controversy when Vinicius’s Madrid boycotted the event.
“In my opinion he deserved to win the Golden Ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everyone,” former Madrid attacker Ronaldo said at the Global Soccer Awards ceremony.
“They gave it to Rodri, he also deserves it but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won the Champions League,” the Portugal captain said.
Only Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi has won more Ballon d’Or than Ronaldo with his six successes.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is chosen from a shortlist by an international jury of 100 expert journalists.
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