After Cristiano Ronaldo recently made comments on football’s most prized individual award, Man City midfielder Rodri, who was just voted the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, responded sharply.

When Ronaldo, who won Best Middle East Player of the Year at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards on December 27, expressed his thoughts about the Ballon d’Or, he caused a stir by claiming that Vinícius Júnior, who won Best Player and Best Striker that same evening, was more worthy of the coveted trophy.

The Portuguese superstar also thought the award process was deceptive, which sparked a heated debate among both fans and commentators.

Rodri responded calmly yet sharply, expressing his surprise and disappointment at Ronaldo’s claims. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was reminded by the Spanish international that he had also prospered under the same voting method.

It was unexpected to hear Ronaldo claim that Vinícius was the true recipient of the Ballon d’Or. He is the only one who truly knows how this prize works and the standards used to choose a winner,” Rodri said.

“The journalists who cast their votes this year determined that I should receive the honor. He said, “I would assume he didn’t dispute that at the time, and it’s likely that these same journalists had previously voted for him.”

Rodri has previously discussed his desire to skip the award ceremony back in November 2024, so this isn’t the first time he’s used this recurring theme.

In December 2024, Rodri won his first Ballon d’Or after overcoming fierce opposition from Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal, three Real Madrid players.

But it’s important to remember that he hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in a game against in September 2024.