Chelsea star names 2 players he would’ve voted for ahead of Vinicius Jr for 2024 Ballon d'Or
Chelsea star Marc Cucurella has revealed that he would have voted for Rodri and Dani Carvajal over Vinicius Jr for the Ballon d'Or this year. He believes that the Spanish duo have shown their quality and pointed at how Manchester City are not doing well without their star midfielder.
Speaking to Radioestadio Noche, the Blues star stated that Rodri was better than Vincius Jr last year. He claimed that the Ballon d’Or winner controls the flow of the match and also does it in training as well. He said (via @City_Xtra on X):
"My Ballon d’Or votes would have been: Rodri, [Dani] Carvajal, and Vinicius… People don't know what he has until he's not there and you start training with Rodri and he controls everything. Now Manchester City don't have him and they keep losing…"
Rodri himself also stated that he would have voted for himself over Vinicius Jr. He too named Carvajal as his runner-up in the race for the Ballon d'Or this year and told El Partidazo de COPE (via ESPN):
"I love that people vote what they feel. It's someone's opinion. I respect Vinícius hugely, and Real Madrid, and anyone who knows me knows it ... I'd vote for Carvajal, and Vinícius too. Maybe Carvajal second."
Rodri defeated Vinicius Jr to the Ballon d'Or award by 41 points this year. Jude Bellingham finished third, with Dani Carvajal and Erling Haaland finishing the top 5.
Rodri not hurt by Vinicius Jr boycotting the Ballon d'Or gala
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Rodri further stated that he was not hurt by Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid players boycotting the Ballon d'Or gala. He revealed that all his loved ones were in Paris for the award and said:
"Why would it hurt me [that Vinícius wasn't there]? It was my moment, to enjoy with my family. The last thing I'd be thinking about is people who weren't there, and didn't want to participate."
"I felt a bit of disbelief when, at the time of the presentation of the trophy, half the room shouted 'Vinicius, Vinicius!'. In any case, there was a lot of respect for me from the audience because afterwards they all stood up and applauded me.
"The Ballon d'Or has rewarded consistency, which is the most difficult thing in football. I am not the one to say whether I deserved this award or not. In 2023 I thought I could win it for my great season at City and this year I think I did even better."
Real Madrid were confident that Vinicius Jr was winning the Ballon d'Or this year. However, they boycotted the award ceremony in Paris hours before the gala after finding out that the Manchester City star was winning it.