WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo makes bold statement on Ballon d'Or winner, says it was unfair decision

Cristiano Ronaldo winner of the Ballon d'Or five times says it is "unfair" for Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. to not receive this year's prize. Vinicius, the favorite, finished second, while Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, won the Ballon d'Or 2024 in October. At Friday's Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo made the case that Vinicius should have been the one to win football's most coveted individual award. Vinicius and his Real Madrid colleagues protested the Brazilian star's exclusion from the top slot by not attending the France Football magazine celebration in Paris.

Most people believed that Vinicius Jr would win the 2024 Ballon d'Or throughout October. However, rumors surfaced on the eve of the ceremony suggesting that Rodri, whose key performances had helped Manchester City achieve a historic treble, would instead receive the prize. Due to their dissatisfaction with the decision, the Real Madrid team reportedly decided to cancel their trip to Paris.

During the award function, Cristiano Ronaldo said, "In my opinion, he [Vinicius] deserved to win the golden ball [Ballon d'Or award]," Ronaldo stated. "It was unfair in my opinion. I say here in front of everybody. They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinicius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final."

Watch here the video:

🚨 “Vinicius Jr deserved the Ballon d’Or”, says Cristiano Ronaldo. ✨ pic.twitter.com/J3lsCPkzqa

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Middle East Player of 2024 award

Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, complained to France Football magazine about not being on the shortlist this year. "You know these galas, they always do the same thing," he said, implying that there were persistent problems with the manner the prize was chosen. Despite not winning the Ballon d'Or, Vincius received other honors. Ballon d’Or winner is picked by a panel of 100 specialized journalists around the globe. Lionel Messi is the only player in football history to win more Ballon d’or. While Cristiano Ronaldo stands in second place winning the award five times.

More recently, he won the Globe Soccer Awards' Best Men's Player award after being named FIFA's The Best Men's Player earlier this month.  After being named the Best Middle East Player of 2024 by the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude. With 74 goals in 83 games since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023, the Portuguese forward has been in outstanding form.