Spanish journalist who voted in Ballon d'Or reveals his top three votes and they could surprise fans

The only Spanish journalist to vote in the Ballon d'Or has spoken out about Rodri's surprise win and revealed who he picked to win the award.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri shocked the world on Monday night after he was awarded the 2024 Ballon d'Or trophy at the ceremony in Paris.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior had been the favourite to win the award this year, but ultimately finished second in the rankings behind the Spaniard.

And in the wake of the award ceremony, the only Spanish journalist to cast a vote in the awards has reacted to Rodri's shock win and revealed who he believes should have won on Monday night.

Speaking to Spanish outlet ElDesmarque, Alfredo Relano explained the voting process for the awards and revealed who he picked to win the award.

The Spanish journalist said: "We vote from a list of 30 players prepared by France Football. Each of us votes for ten players, assigning points: 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Adding it all up determines a winner, but evidently, it’s not Vinicius, as many—including myself—had anticipated.

"We are given three criteria for voting: performance throughout the year and the ability to achieve unexpected feats, where Vinicius clearly excels; trophies won by the team, one having the Premier League and the Euros, and the other the Champions League and La Liga; and finally, natural talent and fair play, which may have been where Vinicius lacked at times. He’s a magnificent player, but he tends to get caught up in controversies."

Relano then revealed that he had assigned his 15 points to Vinicius, while Rodri received 12 and Jude Bellingham was handed ten points.

Vinicius Junior finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings. (Image: Getty)

However, despite picking the Brazilian winger as his winner, the journalist spoke out against Real Madrid's reactions to Vinicius missing out on the award.

"One must know how to lose," added Relano.

"I expected Vinicius to win and I voted for him. I like Rodri Hernández; I voted him second and there was even some doubt between the two.

"There are 100 of us, it’s not as if three people get put in a room and Ceferin says, ‘This to annoy Madrid.’ It’s not like that. No one has called me or given me any instructions. I assume the same goes for the other 99. These are inventions from Real Madrid."