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Xtra Time Web Desk: Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized the decision to award the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Manchester City midfielder Rodri instead of Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday, 27th December, Ronaldo stated that Vinícius was the rightful winner of football’s most prestigious individual honor. Rodri’s contributions to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign were key to his victory, but Ronaldo argued that Vinícius’s achievements, including his decisive goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League final win, made him more deserving. "In my opinion, he [Vinícius] deserved to win the golden ball," Ronaldo said. "They gave it to Rodri, who deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinícius."

The controversy was heightened by Real Madrid’s boycott of the Paris ceremony hosted by France Football magazine. Reports that Rodri would win the award surfaced shortly before the event, prompting Real Madrid players to withdraw in protest. Despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius has been recognized elsewhere, earning FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award earlier this month and receiving the Best Men’s Player prize at the Globe Soccer Awards. At the same event, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí was named Women’s Player of the Year.

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Ronaldo also criticized France Football, suggesting ongoing issues with the Ballon d’Or selection process. "You know these galas, they always do the same thing," he said. The Portuguese star, now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was honored as the Best Middle East Player of 2024 at the Globe Soccer Awards. Ronaldo has been in exceptional form since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023, scoring 74 goals in 83 matches.

During his speech, Ronaldo also commented on his former club, Manchester United, highlighting what he believes are deeper issues within the organization. "The problem of Manchester United is the same," he remarked. "The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that. If you have the fish inside and he’s sick, and you take him out and fix the problem, and you put him back in the aquarium, he will be sick again."

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Ronaldo’s remarks have added fuel to debates about the fairness of football’s awards system and the internal challenges faced by top clubs.