Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema criticized the decision to hand the Ballon d’Or to Rodri and said that his former teammate Vinicius is “sad” over being snubbed by France Football for the prestigious accolade while appearing on popular Spanish TV program El Chiringuito.

Vinicius was the favourite to be awarded the prize for best male football player at a star-studded ceremony in Paris at the turn of the week.

Hours before it got underway, however, outlets such as RMC broke the news that the Brazilian would be overlooked while Spain and Manchester City midfielder was set to Rodri finish first in the vote, which proved to be true.

Asked about the furore during an appearance on El Chiringuito, Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 at Lionel Messi’s expense, said: “I don’t want to talk about France or France Football. It’s not just this year, [it was] last year too.

“He’s a player who has always made a lot of effort. It’s not just about scoring goals. In every game, Vinicius was decisive last year. There is nobody else who deserves it more than Vinicius,” Benzema insisted.

Benzema also stressed that he has “nothing against Rodri”, who is a “good player”.

“But I’m on the sofa watching TV and he doesn’t do things that make me say ‘pfff’. Vinicius has done it more than once.”

Benzema revealed that he has already spoken to Vinicius following his disappointment, and the Frenchman now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia complimented the winger for his mental strength.

“He is mentally strong to continue working, I was talking to him yesterday, he is sad and normal. It’s complicated when everyone sees you as a winner and hours before they tell you that you’re not going to win. He’s a good guy, he’s going to work, and one day he’ll win it,” Benzema predicted.