Report shows margin of Rodri win over Vinícius

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and runner-up Vinicius Jr were separated by just 41 points, according to a report.

The Manchester City midfielder took home prestigious prize last month during a Paris ceremony that was notable for the absence of the Brazilian as well as other members of the Real Madrid contingent originally due to attend the event, reports British daily newspaper The Daily Mail.

After learning of his snub, the Spanish giants reacted angrily, declined to allow their representatives attend the ceremony and released a statement claiming that the result showed that 'Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect' the club.

Details on the voting process have now been revealed by Fabrizio Romano, who has claimed that Rodri won a total of 1170 points compared to the Madrid winger with 1129. This margin of victory would represent the closest race in recent years, though it is still some way more than the seven points Lionel Messi earned over Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in 2019. The first-place position is awarded six points, with four for the second, three for the third, two for fourth and one point to their fifth-placed entry.

The player with the most cumulative points wins the Ballon d'Or.