Cristiano Ronaldo labels the Ballon d’Or as ‘UNFAIR’ and that Rodri should not have won it – as five-time previous winner reveals who should have been the ‘clear’ recipient of this year’s gong

Cristiano Ronaldo has fired a shot at the Ballon d’Or by criticising the credibility of the historic awards ceremony.

Ronaldo labelled Vinicius Jr as the best player in the world while praising the credibility of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Friday.

Vinicius Jr was named the best men’s footballer of the year at the Atlantis in Dubai while Manchester City’s Rodri won the equivalent award at the Ballon d’Or in controversial fashion earlier this year.

Ronaldo said: ‘Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion it was clear.

‘It was unfair. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards, they are honest.’

Leading into the highly-publicised event, the Brazilian forward had emerged as the bookies’ favourite having won both La Liga and the Champions League with Los Blancos.

The Brazilian forward did not attend the ceremony as Rodri claimed the prize for the first time

Rodri was the first Premier League player to be given the honour since Ronaldo himself in 2008

However, just hours before the ceremony was due to begin, Real withdrew their 50-strong contingent, with the Brazilian reportedly tipped off that he hadn’t won.

Instead, Rodri claimed the top prize after helping City to become the first team ever to win four consecutive top flight titles in England and serving as an integral component in Luis de la Fuente’s Euro 2024-winning Spain side. 

In being named the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri became the first player from the Premier League to achieve the feat since Ronaldo himself with Manchester United in 2008.