With FIFA ‘The Best’ award concluding and Real Madrid’s star player Vinicius Junior emerging as the winner has become a hard pill to swallow for many. The decision of Vini to win over Rodri has sparked heated debate among soccer fanatics all over the world. While Vini shined at the club level, Rodri performed at both the club and the international stage. To make matters worse, Lionel Messi one of the greatest players in the world placed Vinicius Jr in third place in his personal rankings list.

Several soccer experts including USMNT legend Alexi Lalas expressed their opinions on the argument on his podcast, “You look back at some other winners and I just feel like Vini isn’t quite there yet, but I don’t want to take anything from what he has done. The timing of Vini’s club success coupled with Brazil’s lack of success is where I start to think of guy like Rodri, on how City have been stinking it up without him just shows how he is important as a player for Spain, Manchester City and you know he won the EURO, Premier league.” added his co-host Stu Hoden talking on Alexi Lalas’ State of Union Podcast.

Vini Jr had an exceptional season with Real Madrid, scoring 24 goals and assisting 11 times in 39 appearances winning La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the prestigious Champions League. The Brazilian Winger was vital in the club’s stellar season clutching in many critical situations. On the other hand, Rodri was brilliant for Manchester City being the decisive player in their midfield. His ability to decide the tempo of the game brought immense success to the English Club winning the Premier League, Club WC, and UEFA Super Cup. On top of the domestic excellence, he shined at the International stage too winning the EUROs with Spain and bagging the player of the tournament.

Vini’s individual brilliance and his ability to clutch performances made him the most deserving contender for the award. However, Rodri was more of an all-rounder checking all-the-boxes kind of performer, helping both City and Spain dominate in respective levels. He was consistent in almost every competition he played. Vini was criticized for not being able to replicate his form on the international stage staging a limitation to his triumph.

In the end, it all comes down to the individual brilliance vs team’s success debate. A debate that will continue for ages, but cannot take away the efforts and the ability to be proven assets for their respective teams.

Ballon D’or Vs. FIFA The Best: which holds more worth?

The whole Vinicius Jr vs Rodri debate has sparked discussion on which award holds more worth. Is it the Ballon d’Or or FIFA The Best? With Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or and Vinicius winning FIFA the best, raised several questions on the awards’ worth.

The Ballon d’Or awarded by France Football, is determined by journalists from all over the world who vote based on the player’s performances and titles won. Meanwhile, FIFA is being determined by national team coaches, captains, and fans. Both awards are prestigious but the winner is determined by two different voting classes.

Both awards recognize different aspects of the player’s game. The Ballon d’Or is more towards the individual aspect for which Vini was just the right man meanwhile The Best award has its leans towards the team’s success and international impact (Take for example, Jorginho) for which Rodri was the right fit. This makes it one of the most controversial debates when it comes to the respective winners.

In the end, neither of the awards takes away anything from the other player’s worth and has their individual importance in the soccer world.