Soccer

Rodri responds to Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism in favor of Vini Jr., ex-Flamengo, for the Ballon d'Or

Winner of the award from France Football magazine, the Spaniard said he was surprised by the Portuguese star's speeches in favor of Mengão's creation

Rodri responds to criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo - Photo: Reproduction
Rodri responds to criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo - Photo: Reproduction

02 Jan 2025 | 13:02 |

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Winner of the Ballon d'Or 2024, Rodri, from Manchester City< /b>, generated controversy for reply to statements by Cristiano Ronaldo about the award. The Portuguese had considered it unfair that Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid standout, had not received the award, despite his impressive season.


Rodri's answer


In an interview with the Spanish newspaper As, Rodri didn't mince words when commenting on Cristiano's criticism. The Spanish midfielder recalled that CR7 itself has benefited from the journalists' voting system in the past.


"Well, it was really a surprise, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and how to choose the winner. This year, the journalists who voted decided that I should win. Those same journalists, at one point, voted for him to win, and I imagine he agreed. ", declared Rodri.

The player also commented on how the achievement impacted his life:


"It changed my life. Maybe I wasn't aware when I won, but it changed my life. The impact of going out on the street is no longer the same. Many things that I could do before, obviously I can't do anymore. But it's good, it's for a good reason, it's because of this recognition that was so important for me and my family. ."

What did Cristiano Ronaldo say?

The statement that provoked Rodri's response was made by Cristiano Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards, an event in which < a href="https://www.sofascore.com/pt/player/vinicius-junior/868812" target="_blank">Vini Jr. He was recognized as the best player in the world, as well as in The Best. CR7 praised the Brazilian and questioned the criteria for the Ballon d'Or.

"I love the way they are making their career... Bellingham, Lamine (Yamal), this new generation, Vinícius, who is doing a fantastic job. He deserved the Ballon d'Or. It was unfair. I speak in front of everyone. They gave it to Rodri. He deserves it too. But Vinícius won the Champions League, he scored. "

Vinícius Jr. reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo's words

After Cristiano's statement, Vinícius Júnior did not hide his admiration for the idol.

"If Cristiano Ronaldo is talking, I will end up believing it that I am the best player in the world. He is my idol, along with Neymar", said Vini Jr., highlighting his gratitude for the recognition.

The debate over the 2024 Ballon d'Or

The decision to award Rodri generated controversy among fans and experts. While many recognize the Spaniard's fundamental role in winning the Euro Cupand other titles for Manchester City, some fans believe that Vinícius Júnior's individual impact on the season should have been greater valued, in addition to the Champions League titles. The discussion, however, reinforces the protagonism of both in world football.


Soccer

Brasileirão has postponed games played this Wednesday; Flamengo only plays on the 15th

The Championship will have matches played during the FIFA Date to make up for delayed rounds due to other conflicting competitions; Mengão's game was not scheduled.

Check out the games this Wednesday (9) for the Brasileirão; Flamengo only returns to the field on the 15th - Photo: Reproduction
Check out the games this Wednesday (9) for the Brasileirão; Flamengo only returns to the field on the 15th - Photo: Reproduction

08 Out 2025 | 09:30 |

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The Brazilian football calendar is paralyzed due to the FIFA World Cup , but the Brazilian Championship is taking advantage of the period without national team matches to catch up on delayed matches. This Wednesday (8), two matches will move the competition: Atlético-MG x Sport and Mirassol x Fluminense.


BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES TODAY
  • 7pm – Atlético-MG x Sport – Arena MRV
  • 9pm – Mirassol x Fluminense – José Maria de Campos Maia Municipal Stadium


The first match of the day takes place at 7 pm (Brasília time), with Atlético-MG hosting Sport, in a postponed match from the 14th round. The Minas Gerais team is in 15th place, with 29 points , while the Pernambuco club is last with just 16 points.


Soon after, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), Fluminense visits Mirassol, in a delayed duel of the 13th round. The Rio de Janeiro team is in seventh place, with 38 points , while the São Paulo team occupies the sixth position, totaling 43 points.

AND FLAMENGO?


While the Brasileirão has its make-up games, Flamengo is taking advantage of the FIFA World Cup break to regroup and adjust its preparations for the final stretch of the season . The next match for Filipe Luís's team will be against Botafogo on October 15th at 7:30 pm (Brasília time) at Nilton Santos Stadium, in the 28th round.

After the 1-0 defeat to Bahia, last Sunday (5), Flamengo lost the championship lead and dropped to second place, with 55 points . Palmeiras achieved the same score, but has an advantage in the tiebreaker criteria.

FLAMENGO'S DELAYED GAME

Flamengo also has a game pending in the Brasileirão. The match against Sport, valid for the 12th round, was postponed due to the red-and-black's participation in the Club World Cup . To date, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has not yet set a new date for the match between the Mais Querido and the Leão, which is expected to be rescheduled for the coming weeks.


Soccer

Flamengo's VP responds to journalists' accusations in the Libra case

Flávio Willeman, Mengão's legal vice president, responds to statements made by communicators regarding the club's lawsuit in Rio de Janeiro against the bloc.

Flávio Willeman, Flamengo's general vice president, responds to accusations from journalists about his influence on the Rio de Janeiro justice system - Photo: Reproduction
Flávio Willeman, Flamengo's general vice president, responds to accusations from journalists about his influence on the Rio de Janeiro justice system - Photo: Reproduction

08 Out 2025 | 09:05 |

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Flamengo's Deliberative Council met on Tuesday night (7) to address the controversy surrounding Libra's broadcasting rights . In addition to clarifying points reported in the press, the meeting also included ironic responses to critics of the club's stance.


Flávio Willeman: "They tried to mislead society into believing that Flamengo benefited from choosing the Rio de Janeiro courts"


During the speech, Flamengo 's general vice-president, Flávio Willeman, refuted insinuations that the club had benefited from taking legal action in the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice to obtain the injunction that blocked the transfer of funds to the other clubs in the league.


WILLEMAN DEFENDS CHOICE OF FORUM

Without naming names, Willeman mocked a comment from a "journalist" who suggested that Flamengo only obtained a favorable ruling by appealing to the Rio de Janeiro courts . The director emphasized that the choice of jurisdiction was established in a contract and signed by all Libra clubs.


"The Rio de Janeiro State Courts were heavily attacked by a certain journalist, and Flamengo was also indirectly attacked. It's important to note that all parties chose the jurisdiction of the Rio de Janeiro District Court . This is stated in the Libra contract, which stipulates that any pre-arbitration proceedings would be filed here," Willeman explained.

The vice president also rejected the theory that the club sought a more favorable court: "They tried to mislead society into believing that Flamengo benefited from choosing the Rio de Janeiro court system. I believe that the Rio de Janeiro court system is one of the best, if not the best, in Brazil and would never allow a case of this magnitude to be judged with a lack of impartiality. This argument is a lie."

PVC AND BENJAMIN BACK GO VIRAL WITH COMMENTS

On social media, Paulo Vinicius Coelho (PVC) and Benjamin Back went viral with their ironic comments on the case. PVC highlighted the fact that the injunction came from the "Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro," emphasizing the city's name, while Benjamin insinuated that the club acted to financially strangle the other league members.

" Bap was the bogeyman. At the crucial moment, in the 45th minute of the second half, he froze . The injunction was in Rio de Janeiro," said Benjamin Back. The statements prompted the Rio de Janeiro State Magistrates Association (AMAERJ) to issue a statement of condemnation, defending the impartiality of the state justice system and criticizing the public insinuations.

WHAT FLAMENGO DID IN COURT

The impasse began after Flamengo expressed dissatisfaction with Libra's revenue-sharing model . The club attempted to negotiate adjustments with the other members, but, without progress, appealed to the Rio de Janeiro courts.

The injunction obtained by the club ordered the freezing of R$77 million, corresponding to the second installment of the broadcast rights contract signed with Globo. The decision generated strong reaction among the other clubs, who considered the measure a breach of the league's collective principles.

With the issue still under judicial dispute, the episode intensifies the political and commercial rift within Libra, while Flamengo maintains its defense that it is only seeking respect for contractual clauses and greater transparency in revenue distribution metrics.



Soccer

Bap claims Flamengo won't leave Libra and blasts Leila Pereira

Mengão president explains in a meeting the confusion with the bloc and responded to attacks from the Palmeiras president and cited an agreement with Vasco

Flamengo president Bap says the club will not leave Libra and criticizes Leila Pereira, from Palmeiras - Photo: Reproduction
Flamengo president Bap says the club will not leave Libra and criticizes Leila Pereira, from Palmeiras - Photo: Reproduction

08 Out 2025 | 08:04 |

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During the Flamengo Deliberative Council meeting, held this Tuesday (7), president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, Bap, addressed the legal dispute with Libra and responded to criticism made by Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras. The director also reinforced that the club does not intend to leave the league and that it is already planning its own broadcast model after the end of the current contract.


Bap on the contract with the bloc: "they will have to live with Flamengo until December 31, 2029"

“ZERO CHANCE OF FLAMENGO LEAVING LIBRA”


Bap was categorical in denying any possibility of an immediate break with the league: "There is zero chance of Flamengo leaving Libra. Flamengo will have to live with Libra until December 31, 2029 , and they will have to live with Flamengo until December 31, 2029. Period."


The president emphasized that the club is already working on creating an independent business model, focused on selling broadcast rights directly to fans, without intermediaries. According to him, this strategy follows global trends in the sports market and should be a milestone in the relationship between the club and its fans.

"Four years seems like a long time, but it goes by quickly. Flamengo's future lies with its own platform ," he stated. Flamengo currently broadcasts internationally using its own infrastructure, which, according to Bap, serves as a foundation for future expansion of the model into the domestic market.


BAP CRITICIZES LEILA PEREIRA AND CITES DEAL BETWEEN CREFISA AND VASCO

The director also criticized Leila Pereira's stance, which has been harshly criticizing Flamengo amid the Libra crisis. He mentioned Crefisa's loan to Vasco's SAF, which provides for the possibility of transferring 19% of the shares in the event of default , as an example of a transaction that, he said, requires greater transparency.

"I have no doubt that there's a very clear agenda. We're talking about this Libra issue, and the company she presides over lent money to Vasco's SAF . Who here has ever borrowed money from a financial institution? I want your house, your boat, your apartment, your farm... Who would ask for 19 percent or so of SAF shares if they can't pay it back? The last time this happened in Brazil, the Menins bought Atlético."

Bap also stated that the case should be analyzed from the perspective of Financial Fair Play in Brazilian football and defended the need for transparency in relationships between clubs and sponsors: " I find this kind of thing absolutely bizarre, and it should be questioned . We're talking about Financial Fair Play. César's wife doesn't just need to be honest; she has to appear honest too. There's an agenda, I have no doubt there is, but time will tell what that agenda is."



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