The Ballon d’Or award is given out annually to the best professional soccer (or, if you prefer, football) player in the world and is considered the most prestigious individual award a player can win. This year’s ceremony, however, came with some controversy.
The award went to Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri, who led his team to a record fourth-straight Premier League title and helped lead the Spanish National Team to the 2024 European Championship. Interestingly, some people felt the award should have gone to Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior, who led his club to the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League. Yet, he placed second in voting.
This year’s vote represented an interesting race between the ultimate team player, Rodri, looking to win the greatest individual award over a type of player who typically wins it in Vini Jr. Not only that, but this year’s award represented the end of an era of dominance, as it was the first final ballot not to include either Christiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi since 2003. Rodri was also the first non-forward player to win the award since 2006.
Some felt that Rodri winning the award was justice for team players, valuing a player’s overall impact on the game over just their goals and highlights.
“I don't think there's a better player right now. It's true that scorers get the most attention, but it would say a lot about football to recognize a player with Rodri's ability and accomplishments toward winning a Ballon d'Or. Because he's done it and he deserves it,” Rodri’s former coach at Villarreal, Javier Calleja, said in an interview for ESPN.
The Real Madrid players, coaches and officials did not feel the same way, completely boycotting the whole event. None of the players who were eligible for any of the awards at the event bothered turning out after finding out that Vinicius was not going to win.
“Football Politics. My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise,” Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga said via X.
Additionally, Vinicius’ Brazilian teammates and the Brazilian FA felt it was an unfair result, with many in the country expecting him to become the first Brazilian to win the award since Kaka in 2007.
“Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country winning an award for the best in the world after so long. Unfortunately, due to criteria that no one can understand, the award did not come. And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a great player, who deserves to be among the best. But Vini not winning this Ballon d'Or was embarrassing, and the only thing that lost today was football,” Brazilian forward and international teammate Richarlison posted on Instagram.
The whole situation has left many fans across the world disappointed in Real Madrid’s lack of sportsmanship, including LaLiga President Javier Tebas. However, some still feel that the reaction was justified.
“The most important values of this club are being a gentleman and shaking hands when you lose. I think Real Madrid lost that spirit a long time ago. They should have gone to the ceremony and not questioned France Football's system, which is transparent, with 100 journalists voting. Real's victimhood is unnecessary and exaggerated,” Tebas said.
JBU student Ruben Isturiz argued for Rodri, pointing out his stellar performance with his national team this last season alongside his club team.
“The Ballon d’Or is supposed to go to the best individual player. Rodri played well with Manchester City and Spain. Vini Jr. won with Real Madrid but played poorly with Brazil at the Copa America. Rodri was the better individual player, no matter who he was playing with,” Istruiz said.
It is plausible that Rodri could be one of the last non-forward players to win the award for a very long time, given the history of the award. Even as forwards continue to receive glory for goalscoring in the years to come, Rodri’s 2024 win will be remembered as a historic triumph for the ultimate team player.
Photo Courtesy of Ari Yam