Janice R. Andrews
Fresh from his 2024 Ballon d’Or triumph, Manchester City midfielder Rodri has offered his take on football’s eternal question: Messi or Ronaldo? The Spanish midfielder, who made history as the first defensive player since Cannavaro to win the prestigious award, shared his thoughts following his narrow victory over Vinicius Junior in this year’s ceremony.
In a candid interview with France Football, Rodri drew from his firsthand experience facing both legends during his time in La Liga. His verdict was clear: “Looking at the Ballon d’Or winners, I have to talk about Messi. Eight wins – I wonder if he even grasps how incredible that is. He’s simply the greatest ever.”
Rodri’s historic win, edging out Vinicius by just 41 votes, adds significant weight to his opinion. His achievement breaks the pattern of attacking players dominating the award, much like Messi and Ronaldo’s remarkable run that saw them claim 13 Ballon d’Ors between them since 2008. Only Modric (2018), Benzema (2022), and now Rodri have managed to break their duopoly.
The midfielder also addressed Vinicius Junior’s notable absence from the Paris ceremony, which followed rumors that he wouldn’t win. While diplomatic, Rodri suggested he would have handled it differently, emphasizing the importance of showing respect for the occasion regardless of the outcome.
Though acknowledging Ronaldo’s immense contributions to football, Rodri’s clear endorsement of Messi’s legacy – highlighted by the Argentine’s record-setting eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 – adds another authoritative voice to football’s most debated topic.
