Monday night’s Ballon d’Ór awards continue to dominate discussion in the football space. Manchester City and Spain midfielder star Rodri went home with the prestigious honour of being the best player in the world for 2023, but many felt that Vinicius Jr deserved it more.
Vini Jr who inspired Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last year was tipped to win the award, but by Sunday afternoon it was clear to the Brazil and Real Madrid star he has been beaten to the second place by Rodri. His team Real Madrid promptly pulled out of the event, which honoured Carlo Ancelloti as the coach of the year. He was not there to receive it neither did he sent a video message.
Speaking on the award Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It’s [voted by] journalists, you know, not an elite group of people who decide. It’s [people] all around the world that votes, not just one country. There are different opinions, and that’s what makes football nice, no?”
Players’ reaction:
Richarlison: “Today, Brazilians woke up expecting to see another player from our country win the award for the best in the world after so long. Unfortunately, by criteria no one understands, the award did not come.”
Eduardo Camavinga: “FOOTBALL POLITICS My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise.”
Milan stars Rafael Leao and Emerson Royal: “The no.1 in the world is you.”
Douglas Luiz and Gleison Bremer: “We all know who really deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. We are all with you, brother, we will do everything so that you can win this ‘Ballon d’Or’ one day. I love you,”
Meanwhile, the editor-in-chief of France Football magazine Vincent Garcia has suggested Vinicius Junior may have missed out on the Ballon d’OR because both Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal also finished in the top five.
“It was a close victory, it wasn’t decided by much,” Garcia told L’Equipe., external
“Obviously, Vinicius probably suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, it took away a few points.
“It also sums up Real’s season, which was carried by three or four players, and the judges shared their choices between them, which benefitted Rodri.”
