Director of El Larguero on Cadena Ser Manu Carreño has offered his point of view on why Rodri won the Ballon d'Or and Vinícius didn't.
The journalist recalls the three criteria that journalists who vote for the best footballer in the world must follow. And he explains it this way:
"I would Place Vinícius one step ahead of Rodri"
"In my assessment of Vinícius with his club and Rodri with his, I would place Vinícius one step ahead. He won the Champions League and wins La Liga. Meanwhile Rodri won the Premier League and lost the Champions League in the only game he's lost all season."
He added: "As for national teams, I would place Rodri one and a half steps aheadof Vinícius, given that Rodri won the Euro Cup with Spain. Plus, he's much more decisive than Vinícius with Brazil in Copa América."
Manu Carreño further added: "The debate is still ongoing in terms of sport. If Vinícius had won, no one could say it was unfair. If Rodri wins, it is extremely well deserved.
But I think Rodri has been more decisive at his club and national team."
Finally Manu Carreño comes to the definitive argument that, according to him, has prevented Vinícius from winning the Ballon d'Or.
"But then there's point three. And the journalists who vote, including Alfredo Relaño, know that point three is about fair play, values and behavior."
"There's no Debate: Vinícius Loses to Anyone"
That's when the bomb from Manu Carreño comes. He's convinced that it's precisely point three that deprives Vinícius of the Ballon d'Or.
"Vinícius doesn't lose to Rodri, he loses to anyone. Anyone. The debate may continue on points one and two, but on point three there's no more debate."
We enter into the debate of whether Vinícius is liked or disliked by the jury of voters. According to Manu Carreño, Vinícius's behavior, regardless of his quality, is what left him without the Ballon d'Or.
At Real Madrid, however, the theory remains that it was a political decision in which UEFA had a lot to do.