Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Misses Out on Ballon d'Or to Rodri, With Madrid Votes Diluted by Teammates

The 2024 Ballon d'Or accolade eluded Brazil's Vinicius Jr., with Manchester City's Rodri claiming the prestigious title. Rodri's exceptional midfield contributions have been pivotal in Manchester City's remarkable achievements, both on home turf and on the global stage, setting a new benchmark in English football.

Despite being a frontrunner, Vinicius Jr. was not awarded the 'best in the world' title, which went to Manchester City's Rodri. Rodri's commanding presence in the midfield has been instrumental in Manchester City's unprecedented domestic and international triumphs, elevating the team to unprecedented heights in English football. While some view this as an injustice, the reality is that there is an abundance of talent in football, with Rodri being a prime example. At Real Madrid, where the team claimed the summit of LaLiga and the Champions League last season, the vote was dispersed among standout players such as Vini Jr., Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal. The distribution of accolades among these players has diluted the votes for Vini Jr., with the English newcomer making a dream start at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, scoring goals and providing assists throughout the season. Dani Carvajal further enhanced his reputation at Real Madrid, winning the Euros with Spain and dominating both attack and defense from the right wing. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos continued to dominate the midfield, likely finishing the season with an impeccable pass completion rate. Given the widespread team success, it's unlikely that all journalists would unanimously select Vini Jr. as the standout star of Real Madrid, regardless of whether one believes he was the 'best in the world' or not. Vinicius Jr. scored 24 goals, while Bellingham netted 23. However, Bellingham outscored Vinicius in domestic competitions (19 vs 15) and provided more assists (6 vs 5). Carvajal's 7 goal contributions from right-back also warrant consideration. The debate from last night is a complex one. The truth is that playing at the highest level of football is challenging, and there are many who excel at it. Vini will have another opportunity; perhaps he will seize it next time.