The Ballon d’Or 2024 was awarded to Rodri at the ceremony on October 28, 2024. However, Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote for this edition, having chosen not to participate in the process for several years.
Vincent Garcia, president of the Ballon d’Or 2024 organizing committee, noted that Ronaldo, who abstains from voting, is among those “very unhappy” with the decisions made at these awards.
Ronaldo, who has five Ballons d’Or to his name, has not been voted the world’s best player since 2017. Although he was tied with Lionel Messi at the time, the latter has since added three trophies to his trophy cabinet. After Messi’s last success in 2023, Ronaldo liked a publication by a Madrid journalist claiming that the Argentine had received three Ballons d’Or too many.
For the first time in 21 years, neither Messi nor Ronaldo are among the contenders for the prize in 2024.
Garcia explained to The Times that “winners have the right to attend future ceremonies, but some don’t and are very angry with us.” Although he could not confirm Ronaldo’s resentment, he pointed out that past winners vote for the Kopa Trophy (best young player) and that Ronaldo did not vote last year or this year.
While Messi and Ronaldo continue their careers in MLS and Saudi Pro League respectively, Garcia indicated that their presence among the finalists would undoubtedly have generated votes in their favor. He also pointed out that France Football doesn’t try to please everyone, although he has received complaints about the votes. He shared an experience from the previous year, when he was criticized for voting in favor of another player.
Leave a Reply