For Real Madrid it is like a matter of pride that they win the Ballon d'Or, someone like Mbappe probably had that in his mind when he joined them. He wants to win the trophies but he also wants to win the Ballon d'Or and that won't happen at PSG.

The reaction on social media is laughable though, Rodri is a worthy winner of this award. Henry got shafted twice, should have won it in 2003 and 2004. At the time many thought it was down to his CL performances and performances for France.

MistaT There was always a decent chance of Vini not getting it based of his poor performance with Brazil.

I think his performances for Brazil have probably stopped him winning it. Even when Brazil were shit players like Neymar shone and Vini Jr just hasn't done it for them. Sometimes the player just doesn't have it but sometimes it takes time to click. Look at Messi, for a long time many judged him as a failure for Argentina because he couldn't get to his Barca level for them but eventually it clicked for him.

People compare him Neymar and some even try to make it out like he's better but for me it isn't even close.

    JazzG changed the title to Ballon d'Or.

    Neymar was magic for a few years. For a while he was the player closest to take over from Ronaldinho as the most entertaining footballer. But he then decided to trade global success for mega money in the farmers league with PSG. I can't hate on him for it, just like I wouldn't have hated on Vinicius if he went to the Saudi Sunday League for 1 billion.

    But don't let that be a slight on Vinicius. The guy is absolutely electric. That combination of dribbling, close control, speed and guile is very, very rare. He shone last season in both the CL and and La Liga and for me deserves to win it over Rodri, and I don't think it's even that close.

    Yeah he may not have been a winner with Brazil yet but they've been shit for years and years now. I think it's mainly the start to this season with Madrid that's cost him rather than anything with Brazil as Madrid have been anything but great during the first 2 and a half months of the season, ever since they signed Mbappe and have struggled to figure out how to fit everyone into the same side. But on the basis of last season, Vinicius should have won it.

    kamikaze Think he's talking about racism. Not many dark-skinned players win it.

    Think it's the "you people" flo had an issue with. Then again Meatwad is black and probably said it from the perspective of the people voting for the award. I thought it was pretty clear what he meant, and it's true. Has any black player won it since Weah? That one time for Ronaldinho is the only one I can think of.

        JazzG Daft. What's the use of winning a prize if it's only allowed to count when it's you that wins it?

          Big Willie Has any black player won it since Weah?

          Fair point though. Even so I'm not sure too many would argue with the times they handed it out to Messi or Ronaldo.

          They vote for it a bit like the Academy Awards don't they?

            Big Willie the OG Ronaldo won it twice and Rivaldo won it too followed by Ronaldinho. Then Messi and Ronaldo came along.

            Also Ruud Gullit and Eusebio won it before Weah did

              Last time a Premier League player won it was 2008. It was Him.

              Qwiss

              Well, i guess we will see this year which is more important.. If City win the title without Rodri, then we can say Haaland is more important. (granted, given our current team, i would take Haaland over Rodri also, but thats because we need a Haaland type player to get us over the line, and we're pretty covered in the middle)

                  kamikaze wanted to get clarification from meaty himself. If that's the case then I think it's not a valid or fair accusation. Rodri is a worthy winner. For both club and country he has been a beast. There's a time and place for racism allegations. Not this instance. I mean it's not like they chose Harry Kane here.

                    USArsenal If City win the title without Rodri, then we can say Haaland is more important.

                    Not really, they both played most of last season.

                      Big Willie Think it's the "you people" flo had an issue with. Then again Meatwad is black and probably said it from the perspective of the people voting for the award. I thought it was pretty clear what he meant, and it's true. Has any black player won it since Weah? That one time for Ronaldinho is the only one I can think of.

                      The question should be how many black players should have won it and didn't win? The only one that jumps out to me is Thierry Henry. During the Messi/C.Ronaldo era lets be honest no other player was even close and that isn't down to racism. Rodri was superb for City and for me their most important player last season which says a lot considering the form of Haaland and Foden last year. He is a worthy winner of the award imo.

                      As Mirth says Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have won the award since Weah and before that Gullit and Eusebio, all these guys were worthy winners of that award. There are plenty of problems with racism in football and plenty of problems with how they award the Ballon d'Or but Vini Jr not winning it isn't down to racism. Its cheap and easy to use that line and will just detract from the actual work required to stop racism in football.

                      The most likely players to go on and win this award going forward are probably Haaland, Mbappe & Lamine Yamal.

                        I don’t believe there is a racism issue in giving these awards. Football has treated black players like gods where appropriate. I think heritage is much more important than race. Who do you play for.?

                        There is no reason that Martinez should be so celebrated other than playing for Argentina. Playing for Real, Barca, Juve etc also helps a lot

                        Exactly, there is definitely favouritism when it comes to clubs. The big Spanish and Italian clubs always seem to get first dibs and in a way it has always been an attraction for top foreign players to join these clubs for that reason.

                        Why is Real acting like Vinicius was robbed of his entire fortune and has to spend the rest of his life cleaning floors? It's just an award. Also he's a petulant little shit who doesn't deserve to win anything (just like the winner to be fair).

                          Just seen on Twitter that someone mention this but supposedly Salah didn't even make the Top 30, that is how you know this list is mostly bullshit.

                          Gurgen Also he's a petulant little shit who doesn't deserve to win anything (just like the winner to be fair).

                          He really doesn't help himself by acting like a twat but the racism crosses a line. But he shouldn't expect no abuse from fans if you act like a dick.

                            Fuck Real.
                            This is so low from them. They want two big awards last night. They should’ve been there to pick them up. It’s a 45 minute flight. I’m sure if this was some lessser club like Arsenal or United doing this, they would have been sanctioned.

                            I wouldn't dismiss the racist element to this decision. Vini isn't just a black player, he's a black player who has repeatedly called out La Liga and Spanish football in general. We've seen how unpopular that made him. He gets slated by all sorts of people now for any perceived slip up no matter how slight. That has to have had an effect on some Ballon d'Or voters.

                            At the end of the day Rodri is world class but he simply isn't the best player in the world.

                              Qwiss At the end of the day Rodri is world class but he simply isn't the best player in the world.

                              Neither is Vini Jr. Rodri is one of (if not THE) best players in his position in the world, and would walk into any team on the planet. Vini is one of the best in his position also (but i don't know if i would say THE best, but he's up there). Leaving the racism angle aside for now, as we really do not know that is or is not any of the reason he did not win, was Rodri as instrumental in helping City win the Prem and helping Spain win the Euros? Yes, 100%. Was Vini instrumental in helping Real win La Liga and the CL? Yeah, i would say he was, but why is he more deserving than Rodri? Not to mention Rodri played more games between club & country. I may not like Rodri that much (but I appreciate the player that he is), i think he deserved it as much as Vini did.