2024 Ballon d'Or Controversy: Was Vinicius Robbed by Rodri?

The 2024 Ballon d’Or has sparked intense debate, especially regarding the unexpected victory of Manchester City’s Rodri over Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
Fans and analysts have labeled Rodri’s win a “robbery” of Vinícius’s deserving recognition after an exceptional season, sparking questions about the fairness and criteria of the Ballon d’Or voting process.
The stage was almost ready for Vinicius Junior to lift the Ballon d’Or. But from the morning, somehow, we all started to be surprised by the news that Vinicius Jr. was not winning the Ballon Dor, which made it one of the controversial Ballon Dor ceremonies.

Background on the Ballon d’Or

Established by France Football in 1956, the Ballon d’Or recognizes the world’s best footballer based on votes from a panel of international journalists.
Historically, the award favors attacking players, with few defensive midfielders making it to the top ranks, making Rodri’s win particularly notable.

Real Madrid Success: Vinícius was crucial in securing La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.
Trophies Won:
- La Liga
- UEFA Champions League
- Supercopa de España
Key Performances:
- Scored vital goals, including in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. His performance in the UCL knock stages was outstanding, and he also got the Best Player of the UCL award.

Vinicius Stats 2023/24

Participated in Copa America with Brazil, though the team exited in the quarter-finals, limiting his international accolades for the year.

Manchester City:
- Premier League
- UEFA Super Cup
- Fifa Club World Cup
- Euro
Notable Performances:
- Contributed both defensively and offensively, with decisive plays and critical goals, especially in high-stakes matches. He was the best player of the Euro.

Euro 2024: Helped Spain clinch the European Championship, where he was awarded the Player of the Tournament, significantly bolstering his profile for the Ballon d’Or.

Rodri’s stats 2023/24

Individual Performance: Contributions on the field, including consistency and impact.
Team Achievements: Successes with club and national team play a crucial role.
Player’s Class: Talent, fair play, and overall demeanor.
Voting: Voting is the main thing; players’ profiles may influence voters, which is really unexpected.

A panel of 100 journalists from FIFA’s top-ranked nations rank their top five players, with points awarded from 6 (first place) down to 1 (fifth place).
The aggregation of these votes determines the Ballon d’Or winner.

Real Madrid publicly protested the decision, with players, including Vinícius, boycotting the ceremony to protest what they saw as disrespectful to their achievements.
In a statement, Madrid highlighted their frustration, pointing out Vinícius’s exclusion as a reflection of potential bias or oversight.

Vinícius hinted on social media that external factors, possibly including biases or his activism against racism, had influenced the decision.
Expressed his determination to prove himself further, signaling his resolve to earn the award in future seasons.

Analysts and former players offered mixed views:
- Some argued that defensive midfielders like Rodri are undervalued, and his win marked a shift towards recognizing non-attacking players.
- Others felt Vinícius’s flair, creativity, and decisive moments were more deserving of the spotlight.

Prominent analyst Alexi Lalas defended the voting process, stating that Real Madrid’s reaction, including the boycott, was unwarranted and suggested that the broader view of player roles is evolving.

Vini vs Rodri – Performance analysis

Historical Bias: The Ballon d’Or has often favored attacking players, with Rodri’s win possibly marking a shift toward recognizing midfield and defensive roles.
Role of External Factors: Vinícius’s activism, particularly around racism, has raised questions on whether social stances impact award outcomes.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or raises key questions about award criteria and biases:
- Should individual brilliance overshadow team success?
- How should off-field activism influence player recognition?
- The evolving role of media narratives in shaping award outcomes.

While Vinícius and Rodri had stellar seasons, Rodri’s combined club and international achievements likely swayed voters in his favor.
The decision underscores an evolving appreciation in football for diverse roles beyond just scoring prowess.
As the debate continues, both players remain key figures with bright futures, poised to influence future Ballon d’Or nominations.