The 2024 ballon d’or ceremony engendered much debate on social media prior and following Rodri’s win. The question on everyones lips at the time: Rodri vs Vinicius Jr: who was the rightful winner? One is a flashy winger, while the other is a calm, smart and composed holding midfielder. They are as polar opposites as two players can be. This begs the question: how can you judge who the better player is?

The Ballon d’Or is awarded based on numerous criteria: individual stats, trophies won and impressive character. The first two encompass most of the chatter, the last one, however, many don’t even know. Let’s first compare both players stats from the 2023-24 season. Vinicius scored 25 goals and assisted 11 in 40 games. On the other hand, Rodri scored 9 and assisted 14 in 50 games. Based on these statistics Vinicius is clearly and undeniably the favorite. Though, as he is a winger these numbers are massively skewed in the Brazilians favor. This showcases the first and main issue behind the 2024 Ballon d’Or: it is virtually impossible to compare the goals and assists numbers between a holding mid and a winger. Therefore, in order to determine the legitimate winner, individual stats should be thrown out the window.

Moving on now to trophies won over the course of the season. Rodri won the Premier League and the Euros, while Vinicius Jr won LaLiga and the Champions League. Once again, impossible to differentiate. How can one determine if the Prem is better than LaLiga or vis-versa? Additionally, it is impossible to compare an international competition (Euros) to a club tournament (Champions League). Therefore, the two first and most revealing metrics are completely ineffective in determining the deserving winner.

It seems we are left to the last metric: impressive character. In the first place this should never be a metric to determine the best player in the world as it in no shapes or form takes into account a player’s performance on the pitch. If comparing these two players’ off the field character, Rodri is the clear winner. Vinicius Jr was caught up in multiple controversies during the 23-24 season, such as publicly insulting referees. Rodri, on the other hand, keeps a very lowkey profile, and rarely steps into the spotlight.

So if I was determining the winner of the ballon d’or based on the three established metrics, Rodri is clearly the deserving winner. It does leave a sour taste in my mouth though. I didn’t award it to him because of his performances on the pitch, because, as outlined, it is impossible to compare Rodri’s and Vinicius’s seasons but I awarded it to him based on his behavior which should be irrelevant in determining the best player in the world.

As I am writing this a few months after the ceremony we have had the luxury of seeing the aftermath of Rodri’s win. Many fans still believe Vinicius Jr was “robbed”, and City’s tifo before the Manchester City vs Real Madrid game emphasize the gulf in soccer communities opinion on the deserving winner. However, if we look at each player’s performances since the Ballon d’Or ceremony it does skew in Vinicius’s favor. However, it is a bit unfair as Rodri has been injured for months. Again, this highlights the increasing controversy surrounding the Ballon d’Or and its diminishing legitimacy in awarding the trophy to the deserving winner.

I will leave this post now with this question: do individual soccer award ceremonies, like the Ballon d’Or’s, archaic metrics need to revised?