Why is Chelsea's season suddenly falling apart?!

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

Welcome to Amad Diallo's world 

Man City need January signings to keep WSL title hopes alive

Madrid's biggest problem? They've still not replaced Kroos

Editors' Picks

'Who does he think he is?' - Keane slams 'rubbish' Stewart

Zlatan offers brutal response to Ronaldo’s Ligue 1 criticism

That's why Real Madrid signed Endrick!

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

Klopp to hold party for Liverpool players if Man City are stripped of titles 

Where would Man Utd be without Amad?

What Haaland's 10-year mega deal means for City - and football

Pep's daughter releases emotional interview after his shock split from wife

<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="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>Spain international named best player on the planet</li><li>Fended off competition from Real Madrid forward</li><li>Blancos legend believes Brazilian should have won</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>

Rodri responds to ‘unfair’ Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or claim – with Man City midfielder revealing his ‘surprise’ at Vinicius Junior comment from five-time Golden Ball winner

<p>Five-time Golden Ball winner Ronaldo has suggested, when collecting another prestigious prize at the Globe Soccer Awards, that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/unfair-cristiano-ronaldo-insists-vinicius-jr-robbed-ballon-dor-snubbed-favour-man-city-rodri/blt2fabe343d3bdf7ec" target="_blank">Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was robbed</a> of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-found-out-ballon-d-or-man-city-star-thought-real-madrid-boycott-was-fake-news/blta249f779d28ee820" target="_blank">title of best player on the planet</a> after seeing that honour bestowed upon Rodri.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>A <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-man-city-ballon-d-or-winner-acl-injury-enforced-absence/blt5676602182cd16bc" target="_blank">talismanic presence in Pep Guardiola’s plans</a> at the Etihad Stadium helped City to make history in 2024 as they claimed a fourth successive Premier League title, while he also savoured European Championship glory with his country. Ronaldo has, however, said: “Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion it was clear. It was unfair. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards, they are honest.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Rodri has aired his surprise at seeing Portuguese icon Ronaldo make such a statement, with the classy holding midfielder telling <a href="https://as.com/futbol/internacional/me-sorprende-cristiano-cuando-el-ganaba-si-estaba-de-acuerdo-n/ " target="_blank"><em>AS</em></a>: “Well, it was a surprise, really, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who vote have decided that I should win it. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win it, and I imagine that then he would have agreed.”</p>

WHAT RODRI SAID

<p>Ronaldo’s ties to Real Madrid – as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer – and City’s arch-rivals at Manchester United could explain why he has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ronaldo-ballon-d-or-debate-explains-why-vinicius-jr-award-ahead-rodri/blt38eb87070f9ce1ee" target="_blank">sided with Vinicius in the ongoing Ballon d’Or debate</a>. Nobody, though, can take Rodri’s success away from him and he will forever boast an entry in the football history books.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Rodri responds to ‘unfair’ Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or claim – with Man City midfielder revealing his ‘surprise’ at Vinicius Junior comment from five-time Golden Ball winner | Goal.com

Manchester City and Spain star Rodri has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s “unfair” comment regarding his Ballon d’Or triumph in 2024.

Next Match