A Namibian journalist singled out for criticism by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hit back as the row over Vinicius Jr’s Ballon d’Or snub continues.
Vinicius Jr missed out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri last month, prompting the Madrid delegation to skip the ceremony in Paris.
They felt the Brazilian’s achievements in helping Madrid to a Champions League/La Liga double trumped Rodri’s efforts in playing a pivotal role in City claiming the Premier League title and Spain winning Euro 2024.
Rodri showed his Ballon d’Or to the fans at the Etihad Stadium, before the match against Tottenham ⚽#ballondor pic.twitter.com/AeI4pCZfcB
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) November 23, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
‘Rodri is a great player’
The award is voted on by a panel of 100 international journalists and Perez, speaking at the club’s AGM at the weekend, was dismissive of the representatives from Namibia, Uganda, Albania and Finland.
He said: “Rodri is a great player, he’s from Madrid, and he has our affection.
“He deserved a Ballon d’Or, but not this one. He deserved it the year before. This year, the Ballon d’Or should have gone to a Real Madrid player: Vinícius, or our captain Dani Carvajal, or even Jude Bellingham.
“Some of [the voters] didn’t even include Vinicius in the top 10. Can anyone understand journalists not thinking Vinícius is one of the best in the world? Without Namibia, Uganda, Albania and Finland, Vinícius would have won the Ballon d’Or. And those countries didn’t even vote for Vinicius. Not one! The Finn, at least, has resigned.
“Personally, I think the Ballon d’Or should be organised independently, and the votes should be in the hands of well-known, prestigious people with a reputation in the football world.”
Perez is showing his frustration
His opinion has not gone down well and Namibian journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus, who left Vinicius Jr out of his top 10 but did vote for Bellingham as his number one, was quick to respond on El Larguero.
Nikodemus said: “Essentially, I suspect it’s just words from somebody who is frustrated, like Mr Perez.
“If he feels like people from my country, and the other countries mentioned, do not have a significant vote because we are inferior people, I would just like to know.
“If I was from one of the leading football nations, and I disagreed with his opinion, what would his argument be?”
Both Rodri and Vinicius Jr are currently sidelined through injury.
Rodri is unlikely to play again this season after rupturing an ACL against Arsenal in September while Vinicius Jr has a thigh injury that could keep him out for the remainder of 2024.
