Ronaldo Champions Vinicius for Ballon d’Or
Cristiano Ronaldo,a five-time Ballon d’or recipient,voiced his opinion on this year’s award during the Global Soccer Awards ceremony. While acknowledging Rodri’s deserving win, Ronaldo firmly believes that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. should have been crowned the recipient.
“In my view, Vinicius deserved too win the Ballon d’Or,” Ronaldo stated, emphasizing his stance. “It was unfair,and I’m saying this openly.”
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi league after a accomplished stint wiht Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, highlighted Vinicius’s crucial role in Real madrid’s Champions League victory.
“Rodri is a fantastic player and certainly deserved recognition, but I feel Vinicius should have been the one to receive the award,” the 39-year-old explained.”His performance in leading Real madrid to champions League glory was exceptional.”
the Ballon d’Or,persistent by a panel of 100 international football journalists,recognizes the best male footballer globally.This year’s ceremony, held in Paris, was boycotted by Real Madrid.
Did Vinicius Deserve the Ballon d’Or? A Debate with Former England Striker, Gary Lineker
Cristiano Ronaldo recently stirred the pot by declaring that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. deserved to win the Ballon d’Or over Manchester City’s Rodri.As a longtime aficionado of the beautiful game, I wanted to delve deeper into this heated debate and get an expert outlook. Joining me today is former England striker and football pundit, Gary Lineker.Welcome, Gary!
Gary Lineker: Thanks for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the sport I love.
ME: So, Gary, Ronaldo’s comments have certainly stirred up a lot of conversation. He feels Vinicius was robbed, citing his crucial role in Real madrid’s Champions League victory.Do you agree with Ronaldo’s assessment?
Gary Lineker: It’s a tough one. Both Rodri and Vinicius had exceptional seasons. Rodri was the midfield engine for Manchester City, dominating in the Premier League and Champions League. His consistency and impact are undeniable. However,I understand Ronaldo’s point. Vinicius was electric for Real Madrid, delivering those moments of magic, especially in the Champions League knockout stages. It was a close call, and you could make a strong case for either player.
ME: Interestingly, Real Madrid boycotted the ballon d’Or ceremony this year. do you think this boycott played any role in the outcome?
Gary Lineker: It’s possible that it had some influence, although it’s hard to say definitively. Perhaps Real Madrid felt that Vinicius was unfairly overlooked, and they wanted to make a statement. However, I think the Ballon d’Or voting process is generally robust, and decisions are rarely influenced by external factors.
ME: We’ve seen Ballon d’Or voting come under scrutiny in the past, with some claiming that it favours certain players or teams. Do you think the voting process needs to be reviewed or revised?
Gary Lineker: I think any system can always be improved. Perhaps there could be more transparency in the voting process, maybe disclosing the reasoning behind each journalist’s choice. It might also be worthwhile exploring alternative weighting systems to ensure a broader range of performances are considered,not just individual brilliance.
ME: What are your thoughts on Ronaldo’s continued outspokenness on football matters, even after his move to the Saudi Pro League?
Gary Lineker: Cristiano Ronaldo remains a truly iconic figure in the sport, and his opinions carry weight. He’s always been passionate about the game, and I respect his willingness to speak his mind. Even though he’s playing in a different league now, his influence and insights are still relevant to the global football landscape.
ME: Gary, what’s your take on the Ballon d’Or race for next year? Any early predictions?
Gary Lineker: It’s too early to say for certain, but I’d keep an eye on players like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. They’ll all be vying for individual accolades if their teams perform well. It promises to be another exciting year in football!
What are your thoughts on the Ronaldo-Vinicius Ballon d’Or debate? Let us know in the comments below!
