Rio Ferdinand criticizes Ballon d’Or criteria after Rodri’s success: ‘I don’t want to see a defender win’

Rio Ferdinand believes that a defender should never win the Ballon d’Or.

Rodri helped Manchester City to the Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 glory, while Vinicius won the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles with Los Blancos last season.

Ferdinand claimed the Spanish star deserved to walk away with the award, but added he would like to see the honor go to a player with more star quality.

“It’s crazy, I was a defender when I played, so people think I would be on the defender’s side,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.

“I don’t want a defender to win the Ballon d’Or. I know their value, they are important, but they don’t interest me, man.

“I want to see a player who takes on people, runs past people, embarrasses defenders or midfielders. Ronaldinho, R9, Messi, these are Ballon d’Or winners.”

“I want it to continue that way.”

The Ballon d’Or will be voted on by a jury of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the latest FIFA rankings.

As a result, the rankings can often contradict domestic individual honours, with Erling Haaland finishing above Manchester City teammate and PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden this year.

Fellow TNT Sports Expert Joleon Lescott called for more clarity when deciding who wins the prize.

“I think they see that now (how crucial Rodri is for Manchester City),” Lescott said. “He’s probably the most important player in the team.

“We have seen them without Erling Haaland, without Kevin De Bruyne, and even without Ederson in certain stages.

“I think the last five defeats in the league have come when he (Rodri) wasn’t playing. His importance is there for everyone to see, but if we go back to the Ballon d’Or, the criteria are so erratic.

“I think he was the most consistent player last year and played more at his maximum than Vinicius Junior, more than Jude Bellingham.

“I know Phil Foden won Manchester City Player of the Year, but in terms of consistency I don’t think there was anyone better.

“It’s like some players are picked based on their individual form and others based on what their club has done.”

Ferdinand agreed, pointing out that Haaland finished above Foden in the rankings despite the England midfielder’s remarkable campaign.

“That’s crazy,” Ferdinand said. “We talked about this in the green room.

“Haaland finished above Foden in the rankings, but Foden became player of the year at Manchester City.

“Jude Bellingham was player of the year at Real Madrid and comes third.”