Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said Friday it was "unfair" that Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior missed out on this year's award.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favorite Vinicius in second place.
Rodri helped City to a fourth straight Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 while attacker Vinicius guided Real to a record-extending 15th Champions League.
This year's ceremony in Paris was clouded by controversy after Vinicius' Real boycotted the event.
"In my opinion he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody," former Real attacker Ronaldo said at the ceremony of the Global Soccer Awards.
"They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League," the Portugal captain added.
Only Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or more than Ronaldo.
The winner of the Ballon d'Or is chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.
