Salvadoran journalist Bruno Porzio explains bizarre reason for ranking Rodri 7th in Ballon d'Or list
Salvadoran journalist Bruno Porzio recently explained his reason for ranking Rodri 7th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or list. The Spanish midfielder won the prestigious award ahead of Brazil’s Vinicius Jr on October 28.
Rodri emerged as the surprise winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was rumored to be the clear favorite for the accolade but eventually lost out to the Manchester City superstar.
The Ballon d'Or winner is determined by votes from the top 100 journalists worldwide.
Now, according to a post by PubitySport on Instagram, an El Salvador journalist named Bruno Porzio revealed that he voted for Rodri in the 7th position on his list. The journalist claimed that he did so because Spain won the 2024 European championship in an "illegitimate” way.
Porzio, who writes for El Grafico, also claimed to have left Vinicius out of his list because the Brazilian star does not represent an example of fair play in football.
Rodri had an exceptional year for club and country. He helped La Roja clinch the Euros, contributing a goal in six outings at the tournament. The 28-year-old also scored nine times and provided 14 assists in 50 games as Manchester City won a fourth straight league title, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
He became the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to win the Ballon d'Or. Additionally, the City star became the first Spaniard since Luis Suarez in 1960 to win the individual accolade.
Rodri is currently out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is set to miss the entire 2024-25 season.
When will France Football release the 2024 Ballon d'Or official votes?
The organizers of the prestigious award, France Football, will make the official votes of the 2024 edition public on Saturday, November 9, according to @theMadridZone on X.
However, some journalists have shared their votes individually, giving fans an insight into how they voted and what influenced their decisions.
Manchester City star Rodri was named the best player on the planet ahead of huge favorite Vinicius Jr. Fellow Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham finished third, while Dani Carvajal and Erling Haaland finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to make up the top five.