Onana abysmal & Mazraoui miserable in Man Utd no-show

PSG beware! Foden, Doku & more run riot in City romp

Why is Chelsea's season suddenly falling apart?!

Culture & Clobber: Jude's new look, gold Zidane Preds & more

Nunez CAN score goals! Huge late drama as Liverpool march on

Guardiola split with wife Cristina Serra after 'tense' dinner

Walker & Kilner could 'live in €20k-a-night hotel' in Milan

Neymar hits back at Rivaldo's savage World Cup claim

Pochettino opens door for Messi's sons to represent USMNT

Where did Lewandowski go? Barca's attack misfires at Getafe

The real Mbappe has arrived! Double helps send Madrid top

Endrick dedicates goals to team-mate that 'never praises me'

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rodri wins 2024 Ballon d'Or</li><li>Edges out Vinicius Jr into second</li><li>Brazilian Ronaldo gives verdict on result</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ronaldo weighs in on Ballon d'Or debate as he explains why compatriot Vinicius Junior should have landed award ahead of Rodri

Champions League

Real Madrid

Salzburg

Paris Saint-Germain

Manchester City

<p>Manchester City midfielder <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/full-2024-ballon-dor-voting-breakdown-reveals-rodri-margin-victory-over-vinicius-jr-controversial-contest/blt0e0bff7ed05adce4" target="_blank">Rodri topped the pile in the 2024 Ballon d'Or </a>vote, edging out Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr into second. However, the winger's compatriot believes a "great opportunity" was missed to give the famous award to the 24-year-old.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He told <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2024/12/06/ronaldo-nazario-verdadero-balon-oro-florentino-perez.html" target="_blank"><em>Marca</em></a>: "Without taking anything away from Rodri, Vinicius should have won the Ballon d'Or, who has missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world. It has nothing to do with Rodrigo, let's be clear, but Vinicius has been much more decisive during last season."</p>

WHAT RONALDO SAID

<p>This year's Ballon d'Or was, arguably, the most controversial one yet as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-wouldn-t-have-even-chosen-vinicius-junior-ballon-d-or-runner-up-man-city-star-condemns-real-madrid-decision-boycott-2024-ceremony/bltb2bde8cb38460841" target="_blank">Madrid boycotted the ceremony in Paris</a> when they found out Vinicius wasn't going to claim the top prize. Despite this individual blow, the Brazilian still has a long career ahead of him and will have plenty of chances to win this award one day.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While Rodri may be out for the season with a<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-man-city-sensational-comeback-acl-injury-ahead-of-club-world-cup/bltf5235469f76ad26b" target="_blank"> knee injury</a>, Vinicius Jr could return to action later this month from a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/vinicius-jr-injury-boost-real-madrid-ahead-of-schedule-recovery-new-return-date-set/bltb112cdfa9f98a96b#cse2bedf9d87c9bafd" target="_blank">thigh issue </a>for Madrid as he seeks to bag as many goals and assists as possible this term. The battle for the 2025 Ballon d'Or is likely to be a hotly-contested one.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Ronaldo weighs in on Ballon d'Or debate as he explains why compatriot Vinicius Junior should have landed award ahead of Rodri | Goal.com

Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes that Vinicius Junior should have won this year&apos;s Ballon d&apos;Or over Rodri.

Ronaldo weighs in on Ballon d&apos;Or debate as he explains why compatriot Vinicius Junior should have landed award ahead of Rodri