Manchester City midfielder Rodri has fired back at recent comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo, who argued that the Spaniard did not deserve the 2024 Ballon d'Or, insisting instead that the award should have gone to Vinícius Jr.

La respuesta de Rodri

En una entrevista con el diario As, Rodri abordó las palabras de Cristiano con tono irónico:
"Es una sorpresa, la verdad, porque él mejor que nadie sabe cómo funciona este premio y, sobre todo, cómo se elige al ganador. Este año los periodistas que votan han considerado que yo debía ganarlo. Probablemente, estos mismos periodistas fueron los que en algún momento votaron para que lo ganara él, e imagino que entonces sí estaría de acuerdo", declaró el internacional español.

Rodri’s Perspective on the Ballon d’Or

Rodri expressed his respect for the journalists' criteria, highlighting that his contributions throughout the year were pivotal:
"This award reflects my role in the team’s achievements. It’s about recognizing consistency and impact in key moments, and I’m honored that it was acknowledged."

The Spanish international also provided an update on his recovery process, as he continues to work his way back from a long-term injury:
"Psychologically, I’m doing much better than I expected. The first month is always the hardest, but now I’m trying to enjoy things that we usually can’t in our daily lives as footballers."

Rodri remains optimistic about his return to the pitch, focusing on staying prepared for the remainder of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments have sparked widespread debate over the Ballon d’Or selection process. While some fans and analysts support Ronaldo's stance that Vinícius Jr. deserved the accolade, others argue that Rodri’s consistency and leadership were unmatched throughout the year.