The Ballon d’Or, soccer’s most prestigious individual award, has always been a topic of intense debate. Every year, fans and analysts dissect the criteria used to determine the best player in the world.
However, the 2024 edition of the award proved to be particularly divisive, as Manchester City’s Rodri was crowned the winner over Real Madrid’s Vinicius. The decision left many stunned, including Kylian Mbappe, who recently expressed his thoughts on the matter in an interview with Le Parisien.
Vinicius Jr. had been widely expected to win the award after a spectacular season with Los Blancos. The Brazilian forward played a crucial role in his club’s success, scoring 25 goals and providing 11 assists in 40 appearances. His contributions helped Madrid secure both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles, solidifying his status as a frontrunner for the prestigious award.
However, to the surprise of many, the Ballon d’Or was awarded to Rodri, the Spanish midfielder who had been instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. Despite the Spaniard’s undeniable contributions, the decision was met with skepticism, particularly from Real Madrid, who were reportedly so shocked by the outcome that they boycotted the award ceremony in protest.
What did Mbappe say about the Ballon d’Or criteria?
Kylian Mbappe, a key figure in modern soccer and a teammate of the Brazilian in Madrid, has now publicly questioned the selection criteria used for the Ballon d’Or. While speaking to Le Parisien, the French forward did not hide his disbelief at Rodri’s victory.
“Ballon d’Or, what’s a Ballon d’Or? Is Rodri a Ballon d’Or player for you?” Mbappe asked pointedly. “I thought the Ballon d’Or would go to Vini Jr., but in the end, it went to Rodri. If I had told you three months ago, you would have said: ‘What the hell are you talking about?’”
The 26-year-old Frenchman also emphasized the need for fairness and transparency in the Ballon d’Or selection, advocating for an open process where no player is unjustly overlooked. “Today, we don’t know who the Ballon d’Or will go to, except that no one should be excluded. All players can be rewarded, maybe even a goalkeeper.”
