After an impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ousmane-dembele" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ousmane Dembele</a> has emerged as a top contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The French forward played a crucial role in PSG’s triumphant UEFA Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal has also gained attention as a strong candidate after his standout performances with Barcelona. In a surprising twist, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodri</a> introduced two additional players to the conversation.



Rodri gave a clear answer about who he thinks are the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. “Out of affection, I would like Lamine or Pedri to win, although if it’s based on sporting merits, maybe Ousmane or Vitinha,” he said at the press conference. Although he mentioned Yamal as one of the favorites, implying that he does not have sufficient sporting merits was somewhat controversial.



In the 2024-25 season, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lamine-yamal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamine Yamal</a> emerged as one of the world’s top talents, netting 18 goals and delivering 25 assists over 55 appearances for Barcelona. His influence extended to the international stage, where he shone for Spain in the Nations League, scoring three goals and contributing one assist. Despite being 18 years old and not winning the 2025 Champions League title, his remarkable performances have solidified his status among the elite.



Rodri made headlines by including <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/pedri" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pedri</a> and Vitinha among his favorite players for the prestigious award. While neither player is known for scoring goals like wingers or forwards, their recent performances have been vital, significantly impacting their team’s offense. Notably, Vitinha stands out as a strong contender for the award, having clinched both the Champions League and Nations League titles last season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250908_BUS_487770_lamine-dembele-pedri-vitinha-1024x576_5a747499.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Lamine, Dembele, Pedri, Vitinha" class="wp-image-487774" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Vitinha.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>When will the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or be announced?</h2>



Following an action-packed season, anticipation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is reaching a fever pitch as several standout candidates vie for soccer’s most prestigious individual honor. The winner will be revealed on Monday, September 22, during a grand ceremony at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.


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<h2>Either Dembele or Lamine could make history by winning the Ballon d’Or</h2>



Despite featuring strong contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are the top favorites to chinch the award. And both have opportunities to make history. if Paris Saint-Germain’s standout Dembele wins, he will become the sixth French player to earn the honor. This victory would elevate France to eight awards, tying with Argentina for the most in the award’s history.



Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal holds the potential to set an astonishing record. Should the Barcelona prodigy win, he would become the youngest Ballon d’Or recipient ever, achieving this feat at just 18 years and 2 months old. This would surpass Ronaldo Nazario’s milestone, established when he won at 21 years and 3 months.

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Not only Yamal or Dembele: Rodri names favorites to replace him as Ballon d'Or winner in 2025 - Bolavip US

miniaturas

At just 26, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kylian-mbappe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappe</a> has already carved out a decade-long career in professional soccer, even including a FIFA World Cup victory. With an impressive 521 matches under his belt, the young Frenchman has firmly established himself as one of the world’s elite players. Now a pivotal figure at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a>, Mbappe has raised his voice against FIFA, amplifying the concerns shared by several of his teammates regarding an escalating issue within the sport.



“I can try to understand people who say from their couch: ‘You earn a lot of money, so you have to play.’ My reflection is that we simply need a little more rest. We can play the same number of games, but we should have more rest during the holidays to try to regenerate the body, try to come back and withstand the burden of so many games,” Kylian Mbappe said at a press conference with France.



Even if playing 60 games a year is standard for an NBA player, who might compete in a little over 80 games, the difference in rest periods makes Kylian’s request quite reasonable. According to FIFPro, soccer players receive a four-week break after their season concludes. Meanwhile, NBA players can rest for three months or even longer. This clear difference underscores the justification behind Mbappe’s words.



Kylian delved deeper into the conversation, emphasizing that an increased number of games does not necessarily translate to a better spectacle. He remarked, “I don’t remember seeing a soccer player who has played 60 games in a season at the highest level. I’ve seen some who are considered the best players in history, others who are perhaps a step below, but I’ve never seen a soccer player play 60 games at his best.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250907_BUS_487696_kylian-mbappe-2-1024x576_fefc974c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Kylian Mbappe smiling" class="wp-image-487700" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a goal.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Not only Kylian: Other soccer stars also voice concerns over intense match schedules</h2>



Although Kylian Mbappe is the latest player to speak out about <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a>‘s demanding schedule, he is not the first to raise concerns on the matter. Following the announcement of the 2025 Club World Cup, critics, including head coaches like Enzo Maresca and prominent players, quickly expressed their dissatisfaction over the minimal rest period after the season’s end. In response, two more soccer stars have echoed these critics.


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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jules-kounde" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jules Kounde</a>, star player for Barcelona and France, also decided to express his opinion about the high intensity of the professional schedule. “Sometimes in life, when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. That’s what’s happening with soccer — it’s overconsumption… These are things we need to put into perspective and I think they need to change.”



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodri Hernandez</a>, the latest Ballon d’Or winner, expressed dissatisfaction with the intense schedule in September 2024. “I think it’s too much. Someone has to look after us, because we are the protagonists of this sport, or business, or whatever you want to call it. It’s not all about money or marketing, it’s also about the quality of the spectacle… When the number of games increases, their performance and quality decrease.“

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This Tuesday, Real Madrid triumphed 3-2 over Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Playoff Round, each fighting for a spot in the Round of 16 of the tournament. However, the spotlight shifted not only to the on-field action but also to the taunts directed at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius">Vinicius Junior</a> by the home fans, following his second-place finish in the Ballon d’Or race behind Rodri.



City supporters greeted Vini with a banner in the stands featuring an image of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> kissing the prestigious trophy, accompanied by the phrase “Stop crying your heart out,” a reference to an Oasis song and a clear dig at the Brazilian, who was widely regarded as the frontrunner for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.



The jibes continued throughout the match at the Etihad, with fans chanting “Where’s your Ballon d’Or?” But the winger, unfazed, responded in style—by pointing at his jersey to reveal a patch celebrating Real Madrid’s record 15 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league">UEFA Champions League</a> titles, a full 14 more than Manchester City.



That was not Vinicius’ only response. After the match, he addressed the taunts head-on in his post-game press conference. “I saw the banner,” he acknowledged. “But whenever opposing fans do things like that, it only gives me more strength to deliver a great performance, and I believe I did that tonight.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250212_BUS_334168_City-1024x576_666d2a9d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-334174" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/11202357/City.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Fans of Manchester City display a tifo which reads ‘Stop crying your heart out’ which includes a picture of Rodri of Manchester City kissing the Ballon d’or trophy.</figcaption></figure>



He also highlighted the significance of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a>‘s legacy in the competition, noting the weight that history carries whenever the club steps onto the international stage. “They know our history and everything we’ve achieved in this competition,” Vinícius said. “This is our fifth time here, and while it’s always cold, this time we won. We have to keep this momentum going.”


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<h2>Vinicius’ vital contribution to Madrid’s victory</h2>



Vinicius was crucial to Real Madrid’s victory in Manchester, providing the assist for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal, which proved to be the match-winner. For his efforts, the Brazilian star was named MVP, but he remained focused on the collective effort rather than individual accolades.



“It wasn’t bad, I was able to play a great game, we defended very well and it doesn’t matter who scores goals or is the MVP, we are here to do great things for this shirt and put Madrid in the highest place,” Vini said after the match. And he even humorously admitted that in the decisive play, he had originally aimed to shoot but accidentally set up Bellingham: “The important thing was the win, no matter how it came. On the last ball, I tried to shoot, and it ended up going to Jude.”



<h2>A crucial game ahead for Real Madrid</h2>



While the victory in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/manchester-city">Manchester</a> was a crucial step, Vinicius made it clear that Real Madrid’s work is far from done. The second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, set for next Wednesday, February 19, remains pivotal for securing their spot in the Champions League Round of 16.



“There’s still a lot of soccer to be played in the second leg,” Vini emphasized. “We need to defend like we did today and make sure our fans are behind us for what promises to be a magical night.”

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We have entered a new year, but the controversy surrounding Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win is still a topic of discussion. After <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> called his victory “unfair” at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards, the Manchester City midfielder responded strongly to the Portuguese star.



In an interview with Diario AS, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> responded to Ronaldo’s comments with his own pointed observation: “Honestly, it’s a bit of a surprise, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is selected. This year, the journalists who voted decided I should be the winner. These same journalists have probably voted for him in the past, and I assume he was happy with their choice back then.”



Ronaldo, who is himself a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, said that Vinicius Junior deserved the award more because he “won the Champions League and scored in the final” with Real Madrid. However, Vinicius ended second in the rankings. The Brazilian later claimed the FIFA The Best Award.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Cristiano Ronaldo says Vinicius Junior should have won the Ballon d&apos;Or 🇧🇷 <a href="https://t.co/xsswWE37eC">pic.twitter.com/xsswWE37eC</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1874561235158462907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Rodri claimed his first Ballon d’Or in October, following a stellar year in which he helped Manchester City dominate the Premier League and led Spain to victory in Euro 2024. His achievement, however, has sparked considerable backlash from some prominent figures in football, including Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and more.


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<h2>Rodri says the Ballon d’Or win changed his life</h2>



Rodri, who tore his ACL in September, spoke of the impact winning the Ballon d’Or has had on his day-to-day life. “It has changed my life,” he said. However, he admitted that his injury has also impacted him.



“Many things that I could do before, obviously, I can no longer do. But hey, it is for a good reason … I have the philosophy that in life you have to take things as they are given to you,” he said. “There is no need to complain when things are not the way you want or go crazy when you win a Ballon d’Or. God has given me what he has given me and I am extremely grateful. I have to deal with everything, including injuries, and move forward.“



Without Rodri, Manchester City have struggled in the Premier League, where they are sixth in the standings. Before defeating Leicester City last week, City had an awful record: one win in their last thirteen matches, one victory in the past nine ‘Premier’ rounds, and five consecutive away games without a win.



<h2>Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or record: How many trophies has he won?</h2>



Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times in his career, remains the second player with the most wins in history, trailing only Lionel Messi. The Portuguese forward first earned the prestigious award in 2008 while at Manchester United and held the distinction of being the last Premier League player to win it until Rodri’s triumph.

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Almost a month after Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or over <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius-jr">Vinicius Junior</a>, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has finally explained why the club decided to not send any representatives to the gala. The boss slammed UEFA, who co-organized the event with France Football, and defended their position.



“It’s clear that this year the Ballon d’Or should have gone to a Real Madrid player, regardless of the criteria used, whether it was Vinicius, our captain Carvajal, or Bellingham. It’s very difficult to explain the final result. UEFA communicated that nothing would change with their involvement in the award, but, goodness gracious, for nothing to have changed… Surprising things have happened, and I want to tell you about them,” he said during the club’s general assembly, according to Relevo.



“First of all, UEFA has altered the voting system and the points that each journalist can give to each player. The maximum has increased from six to fifteen. And they’ve included journalists that nobody knows and from countries with populations of less than a million. Without the votes of four of them (Finland, Albania, Uganda, and Namibia), Vinicius would have won,” he added.



Relevo also informed that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a>‘s coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won as best men’s coach of the year, as well as Jude Bellingham, who had brand commitments, were going to assist the gala, which took place in Paris, but Perez stopped them.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241124_BUS_279333_rodri-7-1024x576_a50e9bdb.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="rodri" class="wp-image-279334" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-7.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption> Rodri of Manchester City holds up his ballon d’or award prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



However, Perez said that his complaints have nothing to do with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri.</a> “Last season he achieved the treble with his club and scored in the Champions League final. However, he didn’t even make it to the podium. Rodri is a fantastic footballer and, on top of that, he’s from Madrid. He has all our affection. But that has nothing to do with it,” he stated.


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<h2>The 2024 Ballon d’Or was controversial</h2>



Rodri, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, won the Ballon d’Or after being a key player for Spain and Manchester City. He won the UEFA Euro, while being the MVP of the tournament. He also lifted the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles.



However, it was expected that a Real Madrid player would have taken the award. While Vinicius Junior’s Brazil was eliminated from the Copa America early, he was the MVP of the Champions League and LaLiga winner. In all competitions, he scored 26 goals and provided 11 assists.

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Nearly a month has passed since the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, yet the event continues to generate headlines due to controversies involving some of the world’s top soccer stars. Manchester City’s Rodri, crowned the best player in the world this year, recently criticized Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid, eliciting a sharp response from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/neymar">Neymar</a> in defense of his Brazil teammate.



In an interview with Cadena SER, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> shared his perspective on Vinicius Jr., offering both praise and criticism. “I think Vinicius is intelligent, and with time, he will realize that the more he focuses on the pitch, the better he will be,” Rodri said. “He’s a great footballer, but he has areas to improve both on and off the field. He’s young, and I’m sure he has people to advise him well. Athletes also need to manage their off-field behavior.”



The remarks referred to accusations of arrogance and a perceived lack of respect from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius">Vinicius</a> toward his colleagues. Additionally, Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony—reportedly because Vinicius did not win—added to the controversy surrounding the Brazilian forward.



Neymar, known for his outspoken nature, didn’t hesitate to defend his national teammate. On Instagram, the Al-Hilal forward commented on Rodri’s statement, which was shared by the account Futeousadia, writing: “He became a talker now,” accompanied by laughing emojis.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="729" height="1024" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241122_BUS_278202_1-1-729x1024_0c2820f6.webp&amp;width=729&amp;height=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278205" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/1-1-729x1024.jpg 729w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/1-1-214x300.jpg 214w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/1-1-768x1079.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/1-1.jpg 854w" sizes="(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px"></figure><figcaption>Neymar’s comment on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>The impact of Neymar’s comment</h2>



Neymar’s unexpected intervention sparked significant engagement on social media, garnering over 50,000 likes and 2,100 comments. The majority came from fans of Neymar and Vinicius Jr., who shared messages of support for the Brazilian stars while taking sides in the ongoing controversy with Manchester City’s Rodri.



<h2>Previous tensions between Rodri and Vinicius</h2>



This wasn’t the first time the Spanish midfielder had addressed Vini in a critical light. A few weeks ago, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/rodri-breaks-silence-on-controversial-ballon-dor-celebration-mocking-vinicius-jr">Rodri had to clarifiy that he did not intend to disrespect Vinicius during the Ballon d’Or celebrations</a>, following the release of a controversial video by Manchester City that was subsequently taken down.


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Adding to the tension, Rodri also criticized Real Madrid’s absence from the Ballon d’Or ceremony. “The second, the third, the fourth (best players) were absent… The best team of the year didn’t attend the ceremony, even though the best coach and joint top scorer were crowned. I would have acted differently, but they do what they want,” the Spanish star remarked in the Cadena SER interview.



<h2>A brewing rivalry</h2>



The escalating tensions between Rodri and Vinicius Jr. highlight the growing rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid, two of Europe’s footballing powerhouses. Neymar’s defense of Vinicius further underscores the solidarity among Brazilian players while adding another layer of drama to this ongoing saga.

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Manchester City star Rodri, who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, appeared in Spain’s famous program El Hormiguero, where he discussed the greatest players of all time. The midfielder had an interesting opinion regarding Lionel Messi and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, saying the Argentine was more complete.



“Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, without any doubt. Cristiano has managed to match Messi without innate talent. But those of us who have played against them can see the difference. We didn’t want Cristiano to step into the box because he was lethal there. But with Messi, the danger was everywhere on the pitch,” he explained.



Rodri, further explained what makes the Argentine different: “When <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Messi</a> got the ball, you’d think: ‘Oh, danger.’” When I first started playing against him, I tried to take the ball from him, and he dodged you as if you were a bull in the ring. The feeling I had was that something bad was about to happen.”



This is not the first time that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/ballon-dor-winner-rodri-says-lionel-messi-is-no-longer-the-player-he-fears-the-most">Rodri talks about Messi, as he recently said he was one of the players he feared the most.</a> As a Villarreal and Atletico Madrid player, Rodri faced both players several times.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241121_BUS_277014_lionel-messi-10-1-1024x576_be99d70f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="lionel messi " class="wp-image-277039" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/lionel-messi-10-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Rodri, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, won the Ballon d’Or, surprisingly edging Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. The award is the jewel of the crown to a spectacular season in which he also won the UEFA Euro with Spain, and the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester City.


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<h2>Rodri will try to return to the pitch this season</h2>



Manchester City midfielder Rodri, currently sidelined with an ACL injury, remains optimistic about a potential return this season. Despite the severity of the injury, the Ballon d’Or winner is determined to push himself mentally and physically to rejoin his team.



“Yes, yes. The seasons are longer now, with the Club World Cup ending on July 13th. I want to challenge myself mentally,” he said recently. He suffered the injury during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal back in September.

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Ballon d’Or winner Rodri reveals his clear stance in the Messi vs Ronaldo debate - Bolavip US

Two weeks after clinching the Ballon d’Or award, Manchester City midfielder Rodri gave a lengthy interview with Partidazo de Cope, revaling the toughest opponent he’s faced after <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>.



Having played in LaLiga for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before joining the Premier League, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> was asked which player he disliked facing: “Someone who can change a game or dominate you in the midfield.”



“Before, it was Leo (Messi),” he said. “In the Premier League, I’d say (Mohamed) Salah in his prime. Especially at Anfield, he’s like a knife – it’s really tough.” Despite injuries last season, Salah still impressed with 25 goals, 14 assists in 44 Liverpool appearances, and six goals, four assists in 10 games for Egypt.



<h2>Why he thinks he won the Ballon d’Or</h2>



On the other hand, Rodri was also asked about why he thinks he won the Ballon d’Or. He attributed this to his consistency: “The most difficult thing in soccer… But I’m not the one to say if I deserved it or not.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241112_BUS_271210_rodri-guardiola-1024x576_5c163a74.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="rodri " class="wp-image-271304" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/rodri-guardiola.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Rodri of Manchester City talks to Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, after leaving the pitch due to an injury (Michael Regan/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Rodri won the Ballon d’Or after a successful season, capturing the UEFA Euro with Spain, the Premier League with Manchester City, and the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, edging out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.


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<h2>Rodri gave an injury update</h2>



Currently sidelined with an ACL injury suffered in a Premier League clash with Arsenal, Rodri remains optimistic about returning this season: “Yes, yes. The seasons are longer now, with the Club World Cup ending on July 13th. I want to challenge myself mentally.”



Pep Guardiola’s team, which has won the last four league titles, has felt the absence of their Ballon d’Or winner, losing four consecutive games and falling five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League.

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Ballon d’Or winner Rodri says Lionel Messi is no longer the player he fears the most - Bolavip US

Two weeks after the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> has addressed his viral video mocking Vinicius Jr., who notably skipped the ceremony. The Spanish midfielder, who surprisingly won the prestigious award as the best player of the past season, insisted that the incident wasn’t intended to be “disrespectful” to the Real Madrid star.



“People need to understand that it’s healthy sportsmanship and we were celebrating in private,” Rodri said when asked about the video, which showed him and others singing “Goodbye, Vinicius, goodbye.” The clip, initially published by Manchester City, was later deleted.



“If we put a camera in every private party… At no point did I disrespect anyone. I have tremendous respect for Vinicius, Real Madrid, and every player nominated for the award. Everyone who knows me knows that,” Rodri told a program addressing the controversy.



Vinicius Jr., considered the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, did not attend the gala. Neither did any Real Madrid player or representative, reportedly as part of a boycott protesting the Brazilian’s loss. After the ceremony, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/real-madrid-star-vinicius-junior-breaks-silence-on-2024-ballon-dor-snub">Vinicius shared a message on social media subtly criticizing the decision</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241112_BUS_271114_vinicius-6-1024x576_25ec7a9c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="vinicius jr laments " class="wp-image-271200" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/vinicius-6.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid eacts during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Rodri claimed the honor after an exceptional season, winning the UEFA Euro with Spain, the Premier League with Manchester City, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Across all competitions, he contributed 10 goals and 14 assists.


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<h2>Rodri’s response to Real Madrid’s no-show</h2>



When asked if he expected a congratulatory message from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius-jr">Vinicius</a> or Real Madrid, Rodri responded, “Why? They’re not my team.” When the host pressed, citing his Spanish nationality, he added: “Well, then all Spanish clubs would have to congratulate me, and they didn’t. I only care about my people, my family, my club, and those who support me.”


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Commenting on Real Madrid’s absence from the gala, Rodri remarked: “They had their reasons. I wouldn’t have handled it that way, but that doesn’t mean it was right or wrong. Everyone makes their choices, and that’s it. There’s no need to overthink it.”



<h2>Players criticize the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards</h2>



Vinicius Jr. wasn’t the only one to express dissatisfaction. Several former Real Madrid stars, including Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema, also criticized the outcome. Lautaro Martinez, who placed seventh and had support from figures like Lionel Messi, voiced disappointment, claiming he deserved a better ranking.



One of the most outspoken critics was Spanish legend Iker Casillas, who dismissed the Ballon d’Or as lacking “any real criteria” for selecting winners, despite Rodri paying homage to him in his acceptance speech.

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Rodri breaks silence on controversial Ballon d’Or celebration mocking Vinicius Jr. - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo have reigned over the world of soccer for the past 15 years, setting unparalleled standards with their record-breaking achievements, leadership of Europe’s top clubs, and huge contributions to their national teams. However, as both legends approach the end of their storied careers, the question of who might succeed them looms large. For recent Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, the answer is clear.



“I think the most decisive player in terms of numbers is Haaland,” the Spanish midfielder said of his Manchester City teammate, in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE. He elaborated further: “Erling is the only player today who can come close to Cristiano and Messi in terms of numbers. That’s my feeling.”



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a>’s insight carries significant weight. He has played alongside Haaland at Manchester City for more than two seasons, witnessing the Norwegian striker’s brilliance firsthand. Additionally, his La Liga tenure with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid afforded him opportunities to square off against both Messi and Ronaldo during their primes.



The Spaniard didn’t stop at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/erling-haaland">Haaland</a>’s current form, highlighting the striker’s potential for sustained excellence. “He’s also very young,” Rodri added. “And I think he’s going to continue like this for years to come.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241112_BUS_271193_Rodri-Haaland-1024x576_31f92b57.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Erling Haaland and Rodri of Manchester City celebrate the win after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Manchester, England. " class="wp-image-271201" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-Haaland.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Erling Haaland and Rodri of Manchester City celebrate the win after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Manchester, England. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Erling Haaland’s remarkable numbers</h2>



Erling Haaland celebrated his 24th birthday this summer, yet he already boasts extensive experience at the pinnacle of European soccer. Over nearly five years, spanning successful campaigns in Germany and England, the Norwegian striker has consistently performed at an elite level, breaking records along the way. This season, he further cemented his status by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/man-city-star-erling-haaland-matches-incredible-record-from-cristiano-ronaldo-with-real-madrid">matching an impressive record from Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Real Madrid</a>.



Haaland has scored an astonishing 240 goals in 296 professional games, boasting a near one-goal-per-game average. For context, by the age of 24, Messi had netted 197 goals in 326 games, while <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Ronaldo</a> had 132 in 362 matches. If Erling maintains his extraordinary scoring rate, he could emerge as a legitimate contender in the all-time scoring charts, currently led by CR7 and Leo.


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<h2>Where Haaland falls short</h2>



Despite his jaw-dropping statistics, Haaland still lags behind in one crucial area: influence on the game’s narrative. By the age of 24, Cristiano Ronaldo had already won his first Ballon d’Or with Manchester United in 2008, while Lionel Messi claimed back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles with Barcelona in 2009 and 2010.



Haaland’s numbers alone haven’t yet translated into the universal acclaim or individual accolades that defined Messi and Ronaldo at a similar age. This year, for instance, it was Rodri—Haaland’s teammate—who was named the world’s best player, signaling that Erling’s impact on his team, though significant, may not yet rival the influence of the two legends.

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri reveals the player who could rival Messi and Ronaldo's legacy

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri reveals the player who could rival Messi and Ronaldo's legacy - Bolavip US

Rodri was named the world’s best <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer">soccer</a> player last Monday by France Football, the organization behind the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The Spanish midfielder’s stellar performances for Manchester City throughout the season earned him the award, while Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior came in a close second. Newly published details of the voting reveal intriguing dynamics behind the result.



According to L’Equipe, Rodri secured the top spot with a slim lead of just 41 points over <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius">Vinicius Junior</a>—a razor-thin difference considering the Ballon d’Or’s scoring system: The panel of 99 voters ranked their top ten players, awarding 15 points for first place, 12 for second, and decreasing increments for subsequent positions.



Notably, three voters did not include Vinicius in their top ten, denying him any points. Rodri faced a similar situation, being omitted by five voters. These absences underline how subjective the evaluations can be, even at the highest level.



While Rodri and Vinicius were the clear frontrunners, seven other players received first-place votes from the 99 journalists. Jude Bellingham garnered five top votes, Dani Carvajal four, and Toni Kroos two. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martinez, and Ademola Lookman each earned a single first-place selection.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241108_BUS_268640_Rodri-1024x576_ce7b1e04.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Rodrigo Hernández Cascante aka Rodri attends the 67th Ballon D&apos;Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 30, 2023 in Paris, France. " class="wp-image-268649" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Rodri.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Rodrigo Hernández Cascante aka Rodri attends the 67th Ballon D’Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 30, 2023 in Paris, France. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>The final Ballon d’Or rankings</h2>



Rodri claimed the award with 1,170 points, followed closely by Vinicius Junior at 1,129 points. The top ten included:



3- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)



4- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)



5- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)



6- Kylian Mbappé (formerly Paris Saint-Germain)



7- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)



8- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)



9- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)



10- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)



Real Madrid’s dominance in the rankings reflected their successes in the Champions League and La Liga. Four of their players made the top ten, with Mbappé, listed as a Paris Saint-Germain player during the voting period, now part of the Madrid squad.


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<h2>The next awards</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/argentinas-lautaro-martinez-joins-vinicius-toni-kroos-and-other-stars-complaints-about-2024-ballon-dor">debates surrounding the Ballon d’Or</a> may reignite with the upcoming FIFA The Best awards, scheduled for early 2025. While the exact date is yet to be announced, the ceremony typically takes place in January, as seen in the 2024 edition on January 15.



Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which evaluates performances across the European football season (August to June), The Best considers achievements over the calendar year. This distinction could significantly alter the results, factoring in performances from the second half of 2024. Real Madrid and Manchester City stars are likely to dominate the conversation once again, but the final outcome remains unpredictable.

Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or setback: Inside the voting that crowned Rodri

Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or setback: Inside the voting that crowned Rodri - Bolavip US

Iker Casillas, former Real Madrid captain and 2010 World Cup winner with Spain, has joined the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/argentinas-lautaro-martinez-joins-vinicius-toni-kroos-and-other-stars-complaints-about-2024-ballon-dor">Lautaro Martinez, Toni Kroos and other stars criticism regarding the 2024 Ballon d’Or</a>. In a video with influencer Adri Contreras, recorded before the gala but when rumors were already swirling that Rodri would take home the award instead of Vinicius, Casillas slammed the decision.



“It doesn’t have any real criteria. I don’t know who the heck chooses the winners. I don’t know who votes for it, and I don’t even care if they later explain who the voters are, whether they’re captains, coaches, the President of Malaysia, or China, it doesn’t matter to me,” he said in the video shared on TikTok.



Regarding the decision to give it to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a>, Casillas said: “It doesn’t seem logical, because if you have to give it to a Spaniard, then it should go to Carvajal. In that sense, Rodri has been injured for a month and a half. There’s just no criteria. There’s nothing that tells me you’re basing this on something.”



He added, “And speaking of the Spaniards, I still don’t understand how it’s possible that for four years, from 2008 to 2012, no Spaniard won the Ballon d’Or, especially when we won the World Cup. There were players who could have won it. But not me, you know? This award seems absurd to me, to put it mildly.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241031_BUS_263456_casillas-1024x576_7eff2837.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="iker casillas" class="wp-image-263540" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/casillas.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Iker Casillas of Spain with the World Cup trophy (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



In 2022, France Football changed the timing of the award, so voters would take into account the soccer season and not a calendar year. The Men’s Ballon d’Or winner is determined by the votes from specialized journalists from the top 100 countries in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking. Meanwhile, the criteria takes into consideration three main aspects: “individual performances, decisive and impressive character; team performances and achievements; and class and fair play.”


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<h2>Rodri mentioned Casillas and other Spaniards in his speech</h2>



Casillas’ criticism of Rodri’s win has faced backlash on social media, especially as the Spain and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/manchester-city">Manchester City</a> midfielder paid tribute to many of the country’s legends, including Casillas himself, as well as his current teammates.



“I want to mention my teammates with whom I won the Euro title with, especially Dani Carvajal who suffered the same injury that I suffered. Lamine Yamal, I know you will win this award soon,” said Rodri.


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“This victory is not mine alone, but for all of Spanish football. This is for many players who did not get this award despite deserving it, such as Iniesta, Xavi, Iker (Casillas), and Busi (Busquets),” he added.

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Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernández—better known as <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a>—claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, edging out Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. for the coveted award. In an unexpected twist, Real Madrid fans, frustrated by the result, took to Instagram to vent their anger, not at Rodri, who has no social media presence, but at Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s teammate and Atletico Madrid player, Rodrigo de Paul.



On De Paul’s latest Instagram post, hundreds of comments poured in, with users posting phrases like “you don’t deserve the Ballon d’Or” and “thief.” As this drew attention, fans from other clubs joined in, mainly to mock <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid">Madrid</a> supporters who had mistaken De Paul for Rodri. Meanwhile, the mix-up extended to singer Olivia Rodrigo, who received similar playful comments on her latest post, adding to the social media frenzy.



Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win came as a surprise to many, as <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius-jr">Vinicius Jr</a>. was widely seen as the frontrunner, even though the Spanish midfielder had strong credentials to his name. As a defensive midfielder, Rodri was pivotal for both Spain and City, playing a major role in their successes, including winning the Premier League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and 2024 Euros. He was named MVP of the Euros and contributed to 24 goals across all competitions (10 goals and 14 assists).



However, Real Madrid were (reportedly) so displeased by Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or snub that the club decided to skip the Paris ceremony altogether. This decision came despite Real Madrid being awarded the title of best men’s club, with Carlo Ancelotti named men’s coach of the year, and Kylian Mbappe sharing the top scorer accolade with Harry Kane.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241029_BUS_261997_rodri-and-olivia-rodri-1024x576_fa85f99e.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="rodri and olivia rodrigo&apos;s comments" class="wp-image-262023" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/rodri-and-olivia-rodri.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Comments on Olivia Rodrigo and Rodrigo de Paul’s Instagram accounts (Screencaptures)</figcaption></figure>



Vinicius, who helped Real Madrid clinch LaLiga and the Champions League, tallying 24 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, ultimately took second place. The Brazilian star was also the Champions League MVP and scored in the final. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham placed third, and Dani Carvajal—crucial for both Spain and Real Madrid—finished fourth.


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<h2>Vinicius Jr. reacts to the snub, other players congratulate Rodri</h2>



After the ceremony, Vinicius Jr. reacted to the snub with a message on social media. “I’ll do it 10x times if I have to. They’re not ready,” he wrote in Portuguese on X. Meanwhile, his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, who won the award in 2022, also showed support to Vinicius on an Instagram story, sharing a photo of them with the caption “trop fort” (“too good”).



On the other hand, several players have shown their support to Rodri, congratulating him on his win. Former Barcelona and Spain stars such as Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba, Xavi and Luis Suarez all congratulated Rodri, as well as Aitana Bonmati and Lamine Yamal for their respective wins. Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann also celebrated Rodri’s win with a post on X.


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Finally, Manchester City’s coach Pep Guardiola also weighed in on the result. After congratulating Rodri, he gave his opinion on Vinicius: “Vinicius should’ve won Ballon Dor? Maybe, but it’s what happened. It’s journalists, it’s not a group of elite people that decide what they have to do. It’s all around the world, it’s not just one country’s vote. It’s all around the world, with different opinions.” He also <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/pep-guardiola-makes-something-clear-to-cristiano-ronaldo-about-lionel-messi">left a message to Cristiano Ronaldo about Lionel Messi.</a>

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Ballon d’Or: Fans flood Instagram of Messi’s Argentina teammate after Vinicius’ snub - Bolavip US

Spain and Manchester City star <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rodri">Rodri</a> has become the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, having played a pivotal role in his teams’ success last season with the Premier League and Euro 2024 titles. However, his win sparked some controversy, as Vinicius Junior was widely expected to take the award. Adding to the debate, the Ballon d’Or social media team made a surprising error during their coverage of the ceremony.



While covering the red carpet, the official Ballon d’Or Instagram account mistakenly identified Portuguese player Ruben Dias as Rodri in a caption. Of course, fans were quick to comment that they were wrong, with top comments saying things like: “That’s not Rodri. How are you going to award him if you don’t even know who he is? Hahahaha.” 



Ahead of the ceremony, it was reported that no one from Real Madrid would be traveling to Paris, as they found out that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vinicius-jr">Vinicius Jr</a>. wasn’t going to win the award. Los Blancos did receive awards, including Carlo Ancelotti’s Men’s Coach of the Year, Best Men’s Club of the Year and Kylian Mbappe won the Gerd Muller Trophy alongside Harry Kane.



Apart from winning the Premier League and the Euros, Rodri scored 10 goals and gave 14 assists in all competitions. He was also the Golden Ball winner of the 2023 World Cup with Manchester City, which they also won, as well as the UEFA Super Cup.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="594" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241028_BUS_261571_Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2024-10-28-a-las-18.18.00_0a9f98f6-1024x594_1a4c2c21.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=594" alt="rodri" class="wp-image-261581" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2024-10-28-a-las-18.18.00_0a9f98f6-1024x594.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2024-10-28-a-las-18.18.00_0a9f98f6-300x174.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2024-10-28-a-las-18.18.00_0a9f98f6-768x446.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2024-10-28-a-las-18.18.00_0a9f98f6.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Ballon d’Or Instagram mistake (Instagram)</figcaption></figure>



Other winners of the night included Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, who took home her second Women’s Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona Femeni won as best Women’s Club in the World. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal took the Kapa Trophy as best young player.


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<h2>Rodri dedicated the award to other Spanish legends</h2>



During his speech, Rodri mentioned other Spanish legends such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who he said also deserved the award during their careers, as well as Dani Carvajal and even mentioned Yamal, whom he said would win the golden ball at some point in the future.



“I wanted to remember my teammates with whom we won the Euro Cup, Carvajal who absolutely deserves to be here, and one who I believe will win it someday—you, Lamine,” he said.


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During his speech, he also seemed to allude to all the controversy, saying: “I understand that because I have no social media, people don’t know me much. I am just a normal guy. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy my profession. And I try to be a good person. I am a very calm person.”



He is the first player from England’s top tier to be crowned since Cristiano Ronaldo won in 2008 during his first stint with Manchester United.

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Ballon d'Or account surprisingly confuses Rodri with another player in viral Instagram post - Bolavip US

Spain and Manchester City star Rodri is the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, edging out top contenders like Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez and<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/report-vinicius-jr-and-real-madrid-make-bold-and-unexpected-move-ahead-of-ballon-dor-ceremony"> Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., who notably skipped the ceremony in protest</a>. Rodri succeeds Lionel Messi, last year’s winner, and becomes only the 11th player of the 21st century outside of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the prestigious award.



The Spanish midfielder was a pivotal figure for both <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/manchester-city">Manchester City</a> and Spain last season. With City, he captured the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup titles. Representing Spain, he also lifted the Euro trophy. Across all competitions, he delivered with 10 goals and 14 assists.



Before Messi and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Ronaldo</a> shared the award for a decade, the last player to claim it was Kaka in 2007. Previous winners included Luis Figo, Michael Owen, Ronaldo Nazario, Pavel Nedved, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, and Fabio Cannavaro.



Luka Modric then broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly in 2018 after leading Croatia to the World Cup final and playing a critical role in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory. Messi returned to win in 2019 after securing La Liga with Barcelona and again in 2021 after lifting the Copa America with Argentina.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241028_BUS_261269_modric-ballon-dor-1024x576_9fd98a20.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="luka modric" class="wp-image-261294" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/modric-ballon-dor.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Modric won the 2018 Ballon d’Or ( Denis Doyle/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



In 2022, Karim Benzema claimed the award after leading Real Madrid to triumphs in both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. Then, in 2023, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Messi</a> once again won the award following his remarkable performance in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory.


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<h2>All the Ballon d’Or winners of 21th century</h2>



<ul><li>2000 – Luis Figo</li><li>2001 – Michael Owen</li><li>2002 – Ronaldo</li><li>2003 – Pavel Nedved</li><li>2004 – Andriy Shevchenko</li><li>2005 – Ronaldinho</li><li>2006 – Fabio Cannavaro</li><li>2007 – Kaka</li><li>2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo</li><li>2009 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2010 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2011 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2012- Lionel Messi</li><li>2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo</li><li>2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo</li><li>2015 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo</li><li>2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo</li><li>2018 – Luka Modric</li><li>2019 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2020 – There wasn’t an award due to COVID-19 pandemic.</li><li>2021 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2022 – Karim Benzema</li><li>2023 – Lionel Messi</li><li>2024 – Rodri</li></ul>



<h2>Rodri’s impressive 2023-24 campaign</h2>



<ul><li>Champion of the 2024 Euro Cup with the Spanish National Team.</li><li>Champion of the 2023 UEFA Nations League with the Spanish National Team.</li><li>Champion of the 2023-24 Premier League with Manchester City.</li><li>Champion of the 2023 Club World Cup with Manchester City.</li><li>Champion of the 2023 UEFA Super Cup with Manchester City.</li><li>MVP of the 2024 Euro Cup tournament with the Spanish National Team.</li><li>MVP of the 2023 UEFA Nations League final with the Spanish National Team.</li><li>MVP of the 2023 UEFA Nations League tournament with the Spanish National Team.</li><li>Golden Ball winner of the 2023 Club World Cup tournament with Manchester City.</li></ul>



<h2>Rodri becomes fourth Spanish player to win the award</h2>



With this win, Rodri becomes the fourth Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or, and the second man after Luis Suarez (1960) to do so. Meanwhile, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati complete the list.

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Rodri claims 2024 Ballon d’Or: Every 21st century winner outside Messi and Ronaldo - Bolavip US

Latest news from Rodri. Find out about all the news related to Rodri on bolavip.com/en