Manchester City’s Rodri has made it clear why he believes he rightfully earned the Ballon d’Or, following intense competition from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
In a recent interview, Rodri explained the reasoning behind his victory at the prestigious France Football awards. The Ballon d’Or ceremony sparked discussions, particularly regarding Rodri’s triumph as a defensive midfielder over more flashy contenders like Vinicius Jr.
The voting results revealed that Rodri secured 1,170 points, just 41 points ahead of Vinicius, who finished with 1,129 points, highlighting the close nature of the contest.
Rodri’s successful year included not just his achievements with Manchester City, where he played a key role in winning the Premier League, but also his standout performance at the European Championship, where he was named Player of the Tournament while representing Spain.
In the aftermath of his victory, opinions were divided among fans and analysts. Many believed Vinicius, who helped lead Real Madrid to triumph in La Liga and the Champions League, should have claimed the award instead.
However, Rodri stood by his claim, emphasizing his consistency throughout the season as the deciding factor. “I won the Ballon d’Or because of consistency, which is the most difficult thing in football. I was the most CONSISTENT player of the season,” Rodri stated in the interview.
Currently, Rodri is sidelined with an injury that may keep him out for a significant portion of this season. This absence could lead to another winner emerging in the Ballon d’Or race next year, with Vinicius already gaining traction in early polls.
