Paul Scholes wades into Ballon d'Or debate, names the 'better footballer' between Rodri and Vinicius Jr.

Paul Scholes believes the right choice was made in regards to the Men's Ballon d'Or winner this year.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri took the honour on Monday, but much focus on the day was on the absence of Vinicius Junior, who publicly boycotted the ceremony along with his Real Madrid teammates and manager in protest of the decision, which had leaked earlier that day.

The Brazilian ultimately finished second in voting, ahead of club teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who were third and fourth, respectively.

• Read next: Former France manager slams 'absolutely pathetic' Real Madrid after Ballon d'Or snub

Regardless, it was Rodri who took the stage as the night's winner on the men's side, and Manchester United legend Scholes thinks it was a simple decision to make. 

“Rodri is a better footballer than Vinicius Junior," Scholes stated when speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet. 

"Vinicius Junior will probably win you more games, he’ll be more skillful, but Rodri is a beautiful footballer.   

“That position especially where he plays, in that Spanish position where [Pep] Guardiola used to play and all these great players in there like [Sergio] Busquets, they make your team play brilliant football.” 

Scholes believes midfielders have too often been overlooked in the past, making Rodri's win even sweeter.

“It is a victory for midfield players," he said. "I know [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo have had a big say in it, but you think of players like Xavi and [Andrés] Iniesta who didn’t win it – Busquets didn’t win it either.

"Luka Modrić won it, but he’s more of an attacking flashy player. Rodri fully deserves it for all [he’s done]. He’s lost one game in the calendar year.”

 

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