Cristiano Ronaldo says Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior missing out on Ballon d'Or 'was unfair'

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his support for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, saying it was unfair for the Brazilian forward to have missed out on the Ballon d’Or this year. Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri took home the award, which Portuguese superstar Ronaldo has won five times, this year with Vini Jr finishing second on the list followed by his Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.

Rodri’s teammate at City Erling Haaland completed the top five, finishing ahead of Real Madrid’s biggest signing of the summer Kylian Mbappe.

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Rodri had a dream summer earlier this year. Not only did the 28-year-old help Manchester City win the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season, he was also part of the Spanish team that won the UEFA Euro for the fourth time, condemning England to a second consecutive runner-up finish.

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Vinicius, on the other hand, helped Madrid win the LaLiga as well as the Champions League, with Los Blancos defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to win the elite continental event for the 15th time. The 24-year-old had scored Madrid’s second goal in that final in the 83rd minute, nine minutes after Carvajal’s strike gave them the lead.

This year’s ceremony in Paris was clouded by controversy after Vinicius’ Madrid boycotted the event.

“In my opinion he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody,” former Madrid attacker Ronaldo said at the ceremony of the Global Soccer Awards.

“They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League,” the Portugal captain added.

🚨 “Vinicius Jr deserved the Ballon d’Or”, says Cristiano Ronaldo. ✨ pic.twitter.com/J3lsCPkzqa

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2024

Only Argentina superstar Lionel Messi with his six successes has won the Ballon d’Or more than Ronaldo.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or is chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.

With AFP inputs