Journalist admits he didn't vote for Vinicius because "he is not an example of fair-play"

Bit by bit, the Ballon d'Or press votes are starting to leak out or be revealed. Bruno Porzio, from the Salvadoran outlet 'El Grafico', is an example of the latter, as he did not hesitate in admitting to the public who he voted for. The journalist not only placed Rodri in seventh position in his voting list, but also left out Vinicius Junior from his top ten entirely. 

"He is not an example for fair-play," said the journalist from El Salvador, as he explained one of his reasonings for excluding the Brazilian. That said, he insists the main reason that led him to his decision is another one. "That's not the reason why I didn't vote for him, I didn't because he is a player who's restricted to a limited space on the pitch. Let's not take into account what happened against Borussia Dortmund when he ran across the pitch for 70 metres because in that instant they [Dortmund] let him do that. He's a footballer who only plays there, he is not at the centre of play for Real Madrid."

"He is important, but personally, I think Jude Bellingham was much more important. Instead of putting him [Vinicius] eighth, ninth or even tenth, it's better to simply exclude him. It didn't do him any good. In terms of fair play and what the others have won, I think he's a player that does not exactly.... catch my eye and so, I can't consider him worthy of the Ballon d'Or".

Pozio also recalls having discussions with the Spanish media to find reasons to vote for Vinicius. "I remember talking to Tomas Roncero (from the outlet 'AS' and the show 'El Chiringuito') and telling him to convince me. He gave me few examples like the fact that he scored in the Champions League final and I thought scoring in the Champions League? What's the name of that German player who scored in the World Cup final? Who remembers Mario Gotze? These are situations that you have to tie up well in order to be able to select. Vinicius wasn't there for me," he said.

 

October 29, 2024

The journalist confirmed himself that his number one vote went to Jude Bellingham. "He came to Real Madrid at the age of 20. At such a young age, he took control of the center of the pitch and scored so many goals, as well as assists. He lead England to the Euros finals and for me, he was the best player the past year between the dates specified by France Football."

The Salvadoran concluded by sharing his take on Rodri as the Ballon d'Or winner. "He's a player who was not able to go far into the Champions League, he was knocked out very in the competiton. A decisive player doesn't get eliminated so early. Spain won the Euros undeservedly because had Cucurella's handball been sanctioned, it would have been in a penalty, which is why I don't consider Spain's Euros to be valid for my vote. I can't give him the Ballon d'Or simply on the basis of five matches."

Here are Bruno Porzio's votes for the Ballon d'Or:

1. Jude Bellingham

2. Erling Haaland

3. Toni Kroos

4. Lautaro Martínez

5. Dani Olmo

6. Hakan Çalhanoglu

7. Rodri

8. Florian Wirtz