Vinicius' Ballon d'Or snub 'unfair', says five-time winner Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was unfairly snubbed for this year's Ballon d'Or when speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday.

Vinicius was pipped to the prestigious award by Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who won the Premier League title and Euro 2024 under Luis de la Fuente for Spain.

With the outcome of the Ballon d'Or winner reportedly leaked ahead of the ceremony, Vinicius, along with his team-mates, boycotted the event back in October.

The Brazilian had an impressive year for Los Blancos, scoring 25 goals and laying on a further 12 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last season.

In LaLiga last term, only Jude Bellingham (25) had more goal involvements for Madrid than Vinicus (20), while the Brazilian also completed the most dribbles (65) for his side.

Vinicius also helped Carlo Ancelotti's team to a record-extending 36th LaLiga crown along with the Champions League title, scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund.

Vinicius' efforts, however, did not go unnoticed, after he scooped the FIFA Best award earlier this month, but the Ballon d’Or decision is still a source of bitterness.

And Ronaldo, who won four of his five Ballon d'Or trophies during his time in the Spanish capital, said that Vinicius should have won this year's award ahead of Rodri.

"I really love the way they do their career, [Jude] Bellingham, Lamine [Yamal]. Now, this young generation, Vinicius, they do a fantastic job," Ronaldo said.

"In my opinion, he [Vinicius] deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody," added the five-time winner.

"They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won the Champions League."

Vinicius has made a strong start to his quest for the 2025 award, registering 22 goal involvements (13 goals, nine assists) in 20 outings in all competitions so far this season.

This campaign, only Barcelona trio Lamine Yamal (14), Raphinha (17) and Robert Lewandowski (18) have been involved in more goals in LaLiga than Vinicius (13).