Ballon d'Or 2024: Rodri Edges Vinicius Jr by Just 41 Points in Controversial Voting Reveal

In a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting, Manchester City's Rodri narrowly defeated Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr by a mere 41 points. The final tallies revealed that Rodri secured 1,170 points compared to Vinicius's 1,129, prompting significant backlash from the Real Madrid camp, which chose to boycott the awards ceremony. 

Voting Breakdown

- **Judging Panel**: The results were determined by a panel of 99 judges who ranked their top ten players, with points awarded on a scale from 15 for first place down to one for the tenth position.

- **Voting Anomalies**: Notably, five judges did not include Rodri in their top ten, while Vinicius was omitted by three. This highlights the subjective nature of the voting process.

Context and Reactions

The close margin has sparked discussions about the criteria used for such prestigious awards, especially given the performances of both players during the season. Rodri's victory is seen as controversial, particularly as Vinicius and other Real Madrid representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome.

Final Rankings

1. **Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)** - 1,170 points

2. **Vinicius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)** - 1,129 points

3. **Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)**

4. **Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)**

5. **Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)**

This year's Ballon d'Or results have reignited debates about fairness and recognition in football awards, setting the stage for further discussions as the footballing world looks ahead to future accolades.