SOCCER
Rodri came third
Published on December 12, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Vini Jr. should only return to the pitch in 2025 Credit: Real Madrid/Disclosure
If Vinícius Júnior lost the Ballon d’Or to Rodri, in the election by the Spanish newspaper Marca the result was different. The Brazilian was elected the best player in the world in a vote that included the participation of 122 journalists from various countries, former coaches and former players. Jude Bellingham, Vini Jr.’s teammate at Real Madrid, came in second place and Rodri, from Manchester City, completed the podium, in third.
“He didn’t win the Ballon d’Or when everyone pointed to him as the favorite, both he and his club reacted angrily. But, at this point, few doubt that Vini is, if not the best in the world, always one of the best, and certainly the most decisive striker in world football, even if in Brazil he has not yet been as decisive as in Real Madrid”, wrote the newspaper, describing the player.
Marca stated that the club season was more decisive for the vote than the athletes’ performance in their respective teams. “For the 122 members of the ‘Marca 100’ jury, the ten-month season with Real Madrid had more weight than the final month with the national teams,” said the newspaper.
“Vinícius did not shine with Brazil (in the Copa América), as he did with Real Madrid, the opposite of what happened, for example, with Rodri, named the best player of the Euro. However, Vinícius is elected as the best of the season, rewarding its regularity”, he added.
The award, known as “Marca’s 100”, is in its third edition and ranks the 100 best players of the season. In 2023 the winner was the Norwegian Erling Haaland, and in 2022 the winner was the Frenchman Karim Benzema.
In this edition, in addition to Vinicius Junior, three other Brazilians appeared on the list. Savinho, from Manchester City, came in 27th place, Raphinha, from Barcelona, appeared in 58th place; and Igor Thiago, from Club Brugge, was 97th.
1st – Vinícius Júnior, BRA (Real Madrid)
2.º – Jude Bellingham, ING (Real Madrid)
3.º – Rodri, ESP (Manchester City)
4th – Lamine Yamal, ESP (Barcelona)
5th – Dani Carvajal, ESP (Real Madrid)
6.º – Erling Haaland, NOR (Manchester City)
7.º – Toni Kroos, ALE (Real Madrid)
8.º – Kylian Mbappé, FRA (Real Madrid)
9th – Florian Wirtz, ALE (Bayer Leverkusen)
10th – Harry Kane, ING (Bayern Munich)
