Bellingham Questions Ballon d'Or Decision, Insists Real Madrid Star Should Have Won
Jude Bellingham Questions Ballon d’Or Decision, Advocates for Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has voiced his disagreement with the decision to award the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri, insisting that his teammate Vinicius Junior was more deserving of the accolade. Despite Vinicius’ exceptional contributions to Real Madrid’s success last season, the Brazilian fell short in the final voting, finishing behind the Spanish midfielder.
Rodri’s Surprise Triumph
Rodri emerged as the surprise winner of the 68th Ballon d’Or after a stellar season with Manchester City. His critical performances helped the English club secure a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions League title. While his consistency and impact were undeniable, his victory left some fans and players questioning the outcome.
Bellingham’s Defense of Vinicius
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, Bellingham highlighted Vinicius Junior’s exceptional season. The Brazilian scored 24 goals and was instrumental in Real Madrid’s success, leading the team to a La Liga and Champions League double—their second in three years.
Bellingham expressed his belief that Vinicius’ contributions should have been enough to secure the Ballon d’Or:“I think when we won the Champions League, this was our Ballon d’Or… the recognition that we were the best team in Europe. I think it was more deserved for one from Madrid, especially for Vini. Rodri is a player, but I think someone from Madrid deserved it.”The Englishman also praised Vinicius’ overall quality, calling him “one of the best players in the world… if not the best.”
Vinicius Reacts to the Ballon d’Or Snub
Vinicius himself admitted disappointment after missing out on the prestigious award. Notably, neither he nor any Real Madrid representatives attended the ceremony in Paris, signaling their dissatisfaction with the outcome. Despite this, Vinicius has maintained his focus on helping the team, even as he recovers from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for several weeks.
Real Madrid’s Current Form and Challenges
Real Madrid, despite their Ballon d’Or frustrations, have faced challenges this season. They are currently 18th in the Champions League standings after two defeats in four group-stage matches, including a 3-1 loss to AC Milan on matchday four. Their inconsistency has left them six points behind group leaders Liverpool.
With Vinicius out due to injury, the onus is now on players like Bellingham to fill the creative void and guide Real Madrid back to winning ways. The team will look to bounce back against Liverpool, a side they have defeated in seven of their last 11 Champions League meetings.
Conclusion
While Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory reflects his incredible achievements with Manchester City, Jude Bellingham’s endorsement of Vinicius Junior underscores the Brazilian’s remarkable season. The debate highlights the subjective nature of individual awards in football, where team success and personal brilliance often collide. For now, Real Madrid’s focus shifts to their Champions League campaign, where they aim to reassert their dominance on the European stage.
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