Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has voiced his criticism of the Ballon d’Or after Manchester City midfielder Rodri received the prestigious award over Vinicius Jr. Zidane raised concerns about the award’s integrity, recalling the contentious decision in 2018 when Cristiano Ronaldo was overlooked despite an outstanding season.
In an interview with DAZN, Zidane stated, “When evaluating performance throughout the season, Vinicius Jr. truly shined. He deserves recognition for his hard work and talent.” He further emphasized that “the winner may not always reflect true merit,” noting that the award’s credibility was tarnished when Ronaldo did not win in 2018 despite his impressive goal tally.
Zidane, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 while at Juventus, has a personal connection to the award. His remarks echo a broader criticism of the award’s selection process. Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen also challenged the award’s criteria, particularly when Lionel Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland, who had a remarkable season with Manchester City.
Zidane’s comments highlight ongoing debates about the evaluation criteria for individual awards in football, sparking discussions about fairness and recognition in the sport.
