“He didn't perform in Copa America” - Thierry Henry snubs Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr as he makes his choice in 2024 Ballon d'Or race
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has picked Manchester City midfielder Rodri ahead of Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The winner will be announced in Paris on October 28.
Vinicius is one of the top contenders for the coveted award after an impressive 2023-24 campaign with Los Blancos. Despite missing a few games due to injury, the 24-year-old contributed 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances across competitions as Carlo Ancelotti's side won three titles, including the La Liga-UEFA Champions League double.
The attacker, though, had a lukewarm campaign for Brazil at the 2024 Copa America - scoring twice in three games - before the Selecao lost on penalties to Uruguay in the last-eight, with Vinicius missing the game due to suspension.
In a clip uploaded by a City fan, propsMCFC, Micah Richards and Henry went for Rodri, with the Frenchman explaining why he snubbed Vinicius:
"Vini Jr didn't perform in Copa America, Rodri for the Ballon d'Or."
Rodri had a superb season with club and country. The Spaniard contributed nine goals and 14 assists in 50 games across competitions as City won an unprecedented Premier League four-peat.
However, their bid for a historic back-to-back European trebles was thwarted by eventual winners Los Blancos in the Champions League quarter-finals on penalties before Pep Guardiola's side lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Rodri then starred for Spain in their record fourth European Championship triumph at Euro 2024 - scoring once in six games - as La Roja became the toast of Europe for the first time since 2012.
How has 2024 Ballon d'Or contender Vinicius Junior fared for Real Madrid this season?
Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior has had a decent start to the season after a relatively quiet start. In 14 games across competitions, the 2024 Ballon d'Or contender has registered eight goals and seven assists.
Most of those goal contributions - five goals and six assists in 10 games - have come in La Liga, where Carlo Ancelotti's holders are unbeaten, trailing leaders Barcelona (27) by three points.
Vinicius' latest outing for Los Blancos was a superb hat-trick in the 5-2 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. With the holders finding themselves two goals down at the break, Antonio Rudiger kickstarted Madrid's comeback before Vinicius took over, completing his hat-trick in stoppage time.