Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence over the decision to award Rodri the Ballon d'Or over Vinicius Jr, who for many was the overwhelming favourite last year.
The Ballon d'Or is given to the best player over the calendar year, as voted for by journalists and publications from around the world, with Lionel Messi winning a record eight gongs.
Though it is meant to celebrate one player's exploits over 12 months, it often ends up being awarded to a player who has excelled themselves at at least one major tournament.
For example, Rodri won the 2024 European Championships with Spain, the Premier League with Man City and the Club World Cup.
However, with Vinicius and Real Madrid winning the Champions League and LaLiga, he was the heavy favourite, only to be spurned for Rodri, a decision which saw Real Madrid incredibly boycott the event and send nobody to pick up their team award.
As such, Vinicius' Real Madrid team-mate Mbappe was asked about the Ballon d'Or in an exclusive interview with Le Parisien, and revealed what he made of Rodri winning the award.
'What is a Ballon d'Or player? Rodri, do you consider a player to be a Ballon d'Or? I thought the Ballon d'Or would go to Vinicius, but in the end it went to Rodri. If I had told you three months earlier, you would have said, "What the hell are you talking about?",' he said.
'Today we don't know who the Ballon d'Or is going to go to, except that no one should be excluded, that all players can be awarded, maybe even a goalkeeper,' he added.
A goalkeeper has not won the award since Lev Yashin back in 1963, and it has been dominated by strikers or wingers in the last two decades.
Since 2025, only five non-forward players have won the award; Pavel Nedved (2003), Fabio Cannavaro (2006), Kaka (2007), Luka Modric (2018), and Rodri (2025).
Mohamed Salah was thought to have been one of the front-runners for the award this year, however with Liverpool out of the Champions League, and the Africa Cup of Nations taking place two months after the Ballon d'Or is given out, his chances could be slim.
Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Mbappe himself will likely be up there if their side can clinch the Champions League and LaLiga, though Barcelona's Raphina has been in exceptional form and has a chance at both competitions, too.
Harry Kane will also have a good shout after another staggering season with Bayern Munich and Ousmane Dembele has been one of Europe's most lethal forwards, however it will likely depend on the outcome of the Champions League.
Austine8Peaks
140
Real Madrid without Vinicius r still dominating and winning teams. Manchester City without Rodri r struggling to get results. Let’s covert Vinicius’ goals into tackles clearances and passes he maybe struggling to see the back of Rodri. I know Vinicius may argue he passes the ball as well but not as demanded from Rodri and they’re not on the same level wen it comes to passing the ball and holding the team. Measure each player according to the stats in their position and it may surprise you that forwards may not win the prestigious award every year as it seems.
sitabersy
83
Typical Noisy Madrid. Modric won it while Messi and Ronaldo were playing and had better statistics than him you all said he deserves it. Now Rodri won it ahead of average Vini and you're all crying.
nesacdlny
36
why are these so call entitled Real Madrid fans blaming Rodri he did not pick himself it all came down to who voted for whom
loopholes
32
At the moment Raphina is ranked one and Mbappe should be ranked second in the balondor. But I seriously consider Dembele as well if he fires psg to a treble this year. Salah is not going to win and he shouldn't. No high profile games and not delivering in critical moments. Raphina, Dembele and Mbappe have been delivering for their team when they needed it the most.
moediruyz
14
Real Madrid without Vinicius r still dominating and winning teams. Manchester City without Rodri r struggling to get results. Let’s covert Vinicius’ goals into tackles clearances and passes he maybe struggling to see the back of Rodri. I know Vinicius may argue he passes the ball as well but not as demanded from Rodri and they’re not on the same level wen it comes to passing the ball and holding the team. Measure each player according to the stats in their position and it may surprise you that forwards may not win the prestigious award every year as it seems.
Since football has become goals score or assist given is the reason why many feels Rodri did not deserve it. So your submission in my opinion is right, of course no one take it away from Vinicious Jr. that he is a difference maker for Real, but Rodri deserve just as he is also deserves it.
bwalyaalfred024
10
Mbappe was forced to jump into this debate just to clear on/off field poor relationship btwn the two otherwise Mbappe is selfish and he hoped he'd win it too and never saw anyone else win it... Rodri deserved 10x over Vini
Austine8Peaks
8
You're very stupid. no wonder your sense of reasoning is clogged
You’re referring to your entire generation. Can’t see me.