The Ballon d'Or, an award presented annually by France Football, is often described as the most prestigious individual honor in football. However, the award is no stranger to controversy, with debates often erupting over the worthiness of the winner. This year is no different, with many questioning if the decision was correct.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or saw Manchester City's Rodri pip Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior to the coveted prize. While both players had outstanding seasons, the selection of Rodri over Vinícius has been met with considerable criticism, and sparked accusations of bias.

Vinícius Júnior was widely considered the favorite to win the award after leading Real Madrid to their 15th Champions League title and 36th La Liga crown. He scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 games across all competitions. Many felt that Vinícius's stellar performances and significant contributions to Real Madrid's success made him the clear frontrunner. Adding fuel to the fire, Real Madrid felt so confident that Vinícius would win that the club planned a large delegation to attend the ceremony and scheduled a five-hour broadcast on their official television channel. However, these plans were scrapped as soon as the club learned that Vinícius would not be taking home the trophy. Real Madrid's apparent boycott of the ceremony underscores the disappointment and strong feelings surrounding the decision.

Rodri, on the other hand, had an exceptional season with Manchester City, winning the Premier League and the Champions League. He was also named Man of the Match in the Champions League final and played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 victory. In 50 games, the midfielder scored 9 goals and made 14 assists. While Rodri's contributions were undeniable, some argue that his role as a defensive midfielder is inherently less impactful and visible than that of an attacking player like Vinícius. Moreover, some have described Rodri pipping Vinícius Jr for the Ballon d'Or as a "robbery" and the "biggest injustice in history".

Several factors may have contributed to Rodri's victory. The Ballon d'Or is voted on by a jury of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA men's world rankings. Voters are instructed to consider individual performance, team success, and player behavior. Some believe that journalists may have differing opinions on what constitutes "player behavior" and "fair play", which could influence their votes. Others suggest that the award criteria do not adequately reward attacking players who can define matches.

The controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d'Or highlights the inherent subjectivity and potential biases in individual awards. While Rodri is undoubtedly a world-class player, many feel that Vinícius Júnior was more deserving of the award based on his individual brilliance and impact on his team's success. This has led to renewed debate about the fairness and credibility of the Ballon d'Or.

Looking ahead, the race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or is already heating up. Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are among the favorites to win the award.