In a historic night at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was awarded the prestigious title of the world’s best player. His performance over the past season was incredible for both club and country after leading Manchester City to three trophies, Premier League, FA Cup, and Community Sheild, and for Spain he would win best player at the Euros and lead Spain to their first major trophy since the 2010 world cup, and, he did it as a defensive midfielder he had a 26 G/A which to comparison of Luka Modric’s Ballon d’or campaign in 2018 who only a total of 15. Now obviously goals aren’t everything and Modric easily had a better all around season than Rodri did this year, but what Rodri was nothing short of impressive.

However, the ceremony was not without controversy, as tensions flared regarding the Brazilian and Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, who was the betting favorite entering the night, did not win, as none of the nominated Real Madrid players were in attendance in Paris. Vini tweeted out that he would be out for revenge this year and he would do it ten more times to prove who he is.

Now if you asked me Monday, I would have said Vini deserved it, but now that it has some time to sit, I truly think Rodri deserved it more. The Ballon D’Or is not just about being the best player in the world its also about how you act as a person on and off the pitch, and Vini…. well let’s just say he’s had some problems. Also comparing Vini to Rodri in terms of team impact, Vini was not even the second-best player on Real Madrid, Bellingham and Carvajal were both better (they came 3rd and 4th in the voting) and on the international stage in the Copa America for Brazil Vini didn’t do much. I’m not going to spend this whole bashing Vini because he is a great player and the criticism he gets is not deserved, but I truly think Rodri deserved it more than him.

The Ballon D’Or is slowly dying after Messi and Ronaldo have left Europe and it is truly sad to see them no longer competing on the biggest stages against each other.