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.