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Rodri vs. Brazil: Raphinha joins Neymar in criticizing Ballon d’Or winner

24. November 2024
(foto: Getty Images)
The fallout over the Ballon d’Or continues as Raphinha joins Neymar in criticizing Rodri, accusing the Spanish midfielder of belittling Vinicius Junior to boost his own image.

The controversy surrounding this year’s Ballon d’Or shows no signs of slowing down, particularly among Brazilian football stars who remain outraged by the decision to award the prestigious honor to Rodri. Many in Brazil believe the accolade should have gone to Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid winger who had an exceptional season. The tensions were evident during the awards ceremony, which Real Madrid's delegation pointedly boycotted.

The situation intensified after Rodri made subtle criticisms of Vinicius Junior during a recent interview, prompting a strong response from Brazilian players. Neymar was among the first to mock Rodri, and now Raphinha, the Barcelona winger, has also entered the fray with pointed remarks directed at the Manchester City star.

Raphinha took to social media to respond to Rodri, writing: "The need to publicly disparage other players just to make yourself look better is the height of incompetence ;)" His comment highlights the ongoing dissatisfaction in Brazil, where many see Rodri’s win as unjust and perceive his remarks about Vinicius as unnecessary and disrespectful.

The drama adds another layer to the rivalry between Brazil and Spain, with emotions running high over what is widely seen as a controversial decision. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Rodri or his supporters will respond to the latest criticism from Brazil’s football stars.

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