It has been a long time since a group of the public openly booed at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Perhaps that’s a testament to how far ahead Lionel Messi was in the competition each time he was nominated. But this year was different and open to debate. There is a strong and palpable sense of disagreement over who will be the ultimate winner.

The 2023/2024 season was full of individual highlights. The brilliance of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga without losing a single game. Jude Bellingham’s “I am he” statements at crucial moments. Phil Foden finds his prominence again. Harry Kane’s golden boot, despite another trophyless season. The freshness in Cole Palmer. Lamine Yamal’s deflected shots that made you forget he has school the next day. Star power was abundant. However, to win a Ballon d’Or, in theory, you need to be extraordinary, and this year, it seemed like Vinicius Jr was almost guaranteed to win after his crucial role in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League. However, he was not named. It was Rodri, of Manchester City and Spain, who took home the coveted award.

Frankly, Rodri’s name was not a common choice among fans this year. Vinicius Jr had always been at the front. Ask Rio Ferdinand: He mentioned the word “Ballon d’Or” nine times while Vinicius dribbled to finish Real Madrid’s game in the Champions League final. Haaland’s name was floated, but City’s failure to retain the Champions League and Norway’s failure to qualify for the Euros left him out of contention. The emphasis on performing well in international tournaments continues to disrupt the concept of who qualifies as a worthy Ballon d’Or winner.

This debate continues, affecting the credibility of the awards. It’s a recurring theme: if there’s a major international tournament and you’re not participating in it, you might as well skip the ceremony. Last year, Erling Haaland’s brilliant season led City to finally secure the Champions League, the only trophy missing from their trophy cabinet. However, for all his individual brilliance – his goals, statistics and impact – it seemed like nothing would stop Lionel Messi from winning his eighth Ballon d’Or for his performance at the 2022 World Cup. This was true even though Messi He lost several games, changed teams mid-year and moved to a less competitive league. International tournaments continue to be the most influential factor in the prize result. Perhaps Vinicius’ limited impact with Brazil in the Copa América played a decisive role in the minds of voters. With Brazil eliminated in the quarterfinals and Vini scoring just two goals, his performances in La Liga and the Champions League would have had to significantly surpass the individual achievements of other players.

Truth be told, even if international tournaments are the key factor, Rodri is still not the first name that comes up. Jude Bellingham does. In his first year with Los Blancos, Bellingham played a leading role in winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Super Cup. At international level, he helped England reach another European final. With 27 goals and 15 assists, Bellingham was ultimately voted third in the Ballon d’Or, while teammate Dani Carvajal, who finished fourth, was a rare defensive inclusion. Normally, the Ballon d’Or is almost always awarded to players who play an attacking role, and so Carvajal’s inclusion is welcome. The defender won the three trophies with Real and then the European Championship with Spain. So the question arises: how could Rodri beat Carvajal, even though Carvajal won more last season? The answer is pretty obvious: Carvajal’s season, while solid, was not the best individual performance worthy of that award.

Rodri’s victory also invites debate about whether he really deserved the trophy. He wasn’t the best player in the Premier League last season. In fact, he wasn’t even City’s best player: that was Phil Foden. But his role in City’s midfield has been crucial over recent seasons and, without him, the team suffers. He is the best defensive midfielder in the world and his performance in the Euro Cup earned him the title of player of the tournament. But this is where the discrepancies lie: the award is for the entire football season, not just one tournament. He already won an award for his performance at the Euro Cup, so why do voters put so much emphasis on international tournaments when voting for the Ballon d’Or? Previously, the argument against it was that each tournament is only held every four years. But now that FIFA and UEFA are increasing the number of international tournaments, should they still be such a decisive factor?

On the day of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, a list was leaked with Rodri’s name at the top, which caused the entire Real Madrid team to boycott the award. Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Coach of the Year award, was not present, nor were Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr or Dani Carvalho. The snub to Vini has once again raised questions about whether racism played a role in the vote or whether it is the ongoing cold war between UEFA and Real Madrid stemming from the Super Cup drama a couple of seasons ago.

Other reasons given are that, according to UEFA, a player must be judged on three criteria: individual performances, decisive and impressive character, team performances and achievements, and class and fair play. Vinicius Jr has had his fair share of outbursts, blatant attempts to delay play or attempts to get a penalty without any contact. But dismissing his season on these grounds seems weak, as no player has actually lost the Ballon d’Or for misconduct or taking penalties.

That said, if there is a player who embodies a true role model, it is Rodrigo Hernández Cascante. Playing in perhaps the least recognized position, but one that plays a pivotal role in modern football, Rodri has redefined how a defensive midfielder can progress through the game to turn defense into attack. Far from his football abilities, in which he is the best in his position and now the best in the world, it is Rodri’s work, personality and dedication that makes him a role model. Perhaps the most highly rated footballer without any online presence, Rodri has always lived humbly: away from the spotlight, living in student dormitories among his peers and driving a Fiat, despite earning more than most in a lifetime. Rodri is a breath of fresh air in the dazzling world of football entertainment, a player whose game is based on rising to make the entire team function well.

Recognizing Rodri is almost like recognizing the unspoken individuals who work the hardest on the team, only for the glory to be given to those who put in the finishing touches. However, as some argue that this recognition may come a season too late, it overshadows a broader truth: perhaps football is ready to share its rewards with those who not only taste the cake but bake it.

Raiyan Binte Rafiq He is a sports columnist for The Daily Star. He is currently pursuing an LLM, while working as a freelancer for INDIVISA. He also oversees recruiting at Bangladesh-based Next Level Sports Management.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

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