Al Ittihad’s French striker Karim Benzema was unhappy with the results of the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting. His remarks were cited by Soviet Sport, referring to El Chiringuito. The reaction underscored the ongoing debate about individual awards in a year filled with standout performances across Europe and beyond.
I spoke with Vinicius; he is upset. He believed he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. Benzema added that he bears no grudge against Rodri, calling him a good player, but when he sits on the couch and watches the season unfold, he finds himself thinking wow. In Benzema’s view, Rodri’s actions did not always elicit that kind of awe, which has lit a broader discussion about aesthetics, consistency, and the year’s most impactful performances.
On October 28, Rodri, the Spanish international and Manchester City midfielder, was crowned the Ballon d’Or. The decision placed him at the pinnacle of a year marked by tactical mastery, key interceptions, and influential leadership in the middle of the park for club and country.
He beat Real Madrid players Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, as well as teammate Erling Haaland in the voting, reflecting a year when midfield control and efficiency were celebrated as much as attacking flair and goal-scoring prowess.
Rodri arrived at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on crutches after injuring his cruciate knee ligaments in the Premier League match against Arsenal on September 25. The injury added a somber note to his victory celebration, highlighting the fragility and resilience that often accompany the sport’s most prestigious recognitions.
Vinicius Junior entered the night with strong belief that he could lift the award. He carried a sense of optimism into the ceremony and even celebrated earlier in the day, but the final outcome did not go his way for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Two days earlier, Real Madrid had been routed by Barcelona with a 0-4 scoreline in La Liga. In one moment captured during the run-up to the ceremony, Vinicius told Barcelona midfielder Gavi that despite the heavy defeat, he would still pursue the Ballon d’Or on Monday, illustrating the unyielding confidence that characterizes a player who believes in the year-long narrative he has helped shape.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by the French magazine France Football to the game’s best player of the calendar year. It is widely regarded as the sport’s most prestigious individual honor, with its origins dating back to 1956, when the first ceremony recognized outstanding performers across the landscape of global football. This tradition has grown into a global spectacle, illustrating how individual excellence intersects with team success and enduring legacies.
Following the defeat, Vinicius was seen responding to the moment with a mix of humor and determination, engaging with the surrounding spectacle while acknowledging that the year still features a wealth of opportunities ahead for him and his Real Madrid teammates.