Vinicius Jr. is the 2024 Footballer of the Year, that was what most football fans thought before the award was announced. But Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d’Or by changing all their ideas. It begs the question, why didn’t Vinicius get the award? Answered by the organizers.
Rodri beat three Real Madrid players to win the Ballon d’Or, awarded by French magazine ‘France Football’ in Paris on Monday night (October 28). Apart from Vinicius, he lost Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. Basically, because these three players of Real are in the top five, the award was not won by Vini’s luck.
Speaking to French sports daily Lequip, France Football editor-in-chief Vansa Garcia said that Vinicius received a few points less in the voting due to club teammates Bellingham and Carvajal being in the top five.
“Mathematically they (Bellingham and Carvajal) have taken some points,” he said. Three or four Real players were ranked among the best in the world and the jury divided their votes among these players. As a result, Rodri has benefited.’
Rodri became the first Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or after six decades. The performance was also quite brilliant last season. He played a major role in City’s fourth consecutive Premier League win. He also played an important role in winning the title of Spain in the European Championship.
Garcia also said that the over-enthusiastic media coverage of the Ballon d’Or is wrong. No one knew about the outcome. He commented, ‘No one knew, not Real or City. The feeling that Rodri had on the stage is proof of this. He knew nothing. It is this passion of his that pushes away all speculations.’