• France Football’s editor-in-chief has explained what could have cost Vinicius Junior his chance of winning the Ballon d’Or after Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the award.
• The Brazilian winger was considered one of the hot favorites for the prestigious honor following his instrumental role for Real Madrid last season.
• Rodri’s victory makes him the first midfielder since Luka Modric in 2018 to win the Ballon d’Or.

France Football editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia has explained why Vinicius Junior did not win the Ballon d’Or, which instead went to Manchester City’s Rodri.

Rodri became the first Spaniard since 1960 to win the prestigious award in a shocking announcement on Monday evening.

Vinicius was initially considered the favorite after his remarkable season which led Real Madrid to the league and Champions League titles.

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However, as the ceremony approached in the afternoon, it became clear that Rodri was instead being crowned the new king of football.

Why Rodri beat Vinicius to the Ballon d’Or

The Manchester City presenter then received the trophy from legendary striker George Weah at a glittering Paris event boycotted by Real Madrid.

Garcia suggested competition from Vinicius’ own teammates may have ultimately impacted his Ballon d’Or chances.

After the ceremony, he said via Madrid Universal:

“It was close. Vinícius probably suffered from the presence of Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal in the top 5.”

He added via Madrid Timetable:

“Real Madrid put enormous pressure on me to find out if Vini won, and maybe my silence made them believe that Viní had lost, so they didn’t come. I’m unpleasantly surprised, but I don’t want to spend the night talking about RM, I want to talk about our wonderful winner, Rodri.

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Rodri has been out of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since his team went 2-2. draw with Arsenal earlier this season.

Rodri reacts after winning the Ballon d’Or

When Rodri took the stage at the Théâtre du Châtelet, supported by crutches due to a recent ACL injury, he humbly attributed his achievement to the wider heritage of Spanish music. soccer.

“Today is not a victory for me,” he said, quoted by the BBC“but for Spanish football, and for many players who never won it but deserved it, like Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas and Busquets. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder “.

By winning this historic victory, Rodri becomes the first Manchester City player to receive the Ballon d’Or.

Rodri selects potential future winner

In a related report, TUKO.co.ke pointed out that the new Ballon d’Or will win the prestigious award in the future.

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Vinicius Jr breaks silence after finishing second to Rodri in 2024 Ballon d’Or

The Manchester City midfielder shared his prediction shortly after overtaking Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.

Proofread by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and editor at TUKO.co.ke

Source: YEN.com.gh