Ronaldo slams ‘unfair’ Ballon d’Or result after Vinicius snub

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday it was “unfair” that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior missed out on this year’s award.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favourite Vinicius in second place

Rodri helped City to a fourth straight Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 while attacker Vinicius guided Madrid to a record-extending 15th Champions League.

This year’s ceremony in Paris was clouded by controversy after Vinicius’ Madrid boycotted the event.

“In my opinion he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody,” former Madrid attacker Ronaldo said at the ceremony of the Global Soccer Awards.

“They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League,” the Portugal captain added.

Only Argentina superstar Lionel Messi with his six successes has won the Ballon d’Or more than Ronaldo.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or is chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.

2024 Globe Soccer Award categories and winners

Alongside the standout men’s and women’s categories, here is a rundown of the other winners.

1. Best Men’s player (18 finalists): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
2. Best Midfielder (11 nominees): Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
3. Best Forward (10 nominees): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
4. Best Women’s player (12 finalists): Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
5. Best Men’s club (10 finalists): Real Madrid
6. Best Women’s club (4 finalists): Barcelona
7. Best Coach (7 finalists, all in men’s football): Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
8. Best Emerging player (7 finalists, all men): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
9. Best Agent (7 nominees): Jorge Mendes
10. Best Sporting Director (6 nominees): Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)
11. Best Middle Eastern player (5 finalists): Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
12. Best Middle Eastern coach: Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)
13. Best Middle Eastern club (4 finalists): Al Ain
14. Revelation award: Olympiacos
15. Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was given a career-recognition award that named him “The greatest president of all time”. Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Alessandro Del Piero, Neymar and Thibaut Courtois all received awards that recognised their career-spanning achievements.