Sports
Zidane Questions Ballon d’Or Credibility in Wake of Rodri’s Triumph
Zinedine Zidane, the legendary figure of Real Madrid, has recently shared his thoughts on the credibility of the Ballon d’Or following the award’s unexpected decision to honor Manchester City’s Rodri over Vinicius Jr. Zidane’s concerns echo a sentiment that has resonated in the football community, particularly in light of the contentious 2018 award ceremony.
In that year, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had an outstanding season, finishing with 65 goals in 75 appearances, did not receive the accolade. Instead, it was Luka Modric who took home the award, despite scoring only four goals in 81 matches. This decision has since fueled ongoing debates regarding the criteria used to evaluate player performance for the prestigious award.
In an interview with DAZN, Zidane articulated his support for Vinicius Jr., emphasizing his standout contributions throughout the season: “When assessing performance throughout the season, Vinicius Jr. truly stood out. He deserves recognition for his hard work and talent.” Zidane further elaborated on his concerns about the award’s integrity, noting, “The winner may not always reflect true merit. The award lost some credibility when Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t win in 2018.”
Zidane’s experience as a Ballon d’Or recipient in 1998 adds weight to his critique. His remarkable tenure at Juventus not only showcased his exceptional talent but also paved the way for his subsequent legendary status at Real Madrid.
The concerns raised by Zidane are not isolated. Critics have frequently highlighted inconsistencies in the Ballon d’Or selection process. Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen recently critiqued the decision to award Lionel Messi the 2023 accolade over Erling Haaland, whose achievements with Manchester City were deemed extraordinary during that timeframe. Rothen asserted, “It’s important to examine the criteria for evaluating players.”
As the football world continues to evolve, with players like Vinicius Jr. and Haaland pushing the boundaries of excellence, the debate surrounding the Ballon d’Or and its evaluation criteria remains pertinent. Zidane’s comments serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in recognizing true merit in the sport.
Former Al Nassr forward Anderson Talisca has publicly shared his positive experiences playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. In a recent interview with Globo, Talisca expressed his admiration for Ronaldo’s professionalism and the positive impact he had on his own development.
Talisca emphasized that Ronaldo taught him valuable lessons about maintaining a high level of professionalism, self-care, and focus. He described Ronaldo as a straightforward individual and expressed that working with him was a dream come true.
The pair played 49 matches together, with their combined efforts resulting in seven goals. Talisca concluded by stating that the experience of leading Al Nassr’s attack with Ronaldo is something he will cherish for the rest of his life.
Sports
Inter Miami, led by Messi, were unable to secure a victory against Al Ahly in their initial match.
Inter Miami and Al Ahly played to a scoreless draw in the opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup. The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, saw Al Ahly begin strongly, but Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, proved to be a formidable barrier. Ustari notably saved Trezeguet’s first-half penalty, denying the Egyptian side an early lead. Lionel Messi showed flashes of brilliance in the second half, but Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, El Shenawy, thwarted Inter Miami’s attempts to score. Both teams will continue their Club World Cup campaign on June 19, with Inter Miami facing Porto and Al Ahly playing against Palmeiras.
Recent reports from within Galatasaray, courtesy of Ali Naci Küçük, shed light on the conditions set by Victor Osimhen regarding his potential continued presence at the club. Apparently, Osimhen seeks assurance of a strengthened squad, exemplified by the acquisition of high-caliber players.
Küçük revealed that the recent signing of Leroy Sané from Bayern Munich was, in fact, a strategic move to satisfy Osimhen’s demands. Sané’s imminent arrival, on a 3-year deal, underscores Galatasaray’s ambition to build a competitive team. The club has reportedly offered Osimhen a substantial €14 million salary, inclusive of bonuses, as they endeavor to retain the prolific striker who previously scored 37 goals in 41 appearances during a loan spell.
Osimhen, however, remains deliberate in his decision-making process, urging patience. Galatasaray’s management is seemingly amenable to Osimhen’s requests, acknowledging the necessity of a strong team to secure his commitment.
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