'Bye football'. - Wolves captain delivers 24-word verdict on Ballon d'Or decision

Wolves captain Mario Lemina has apparently disagreed with the decision to award Manchester City midfielder Rodri the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

One of world football’s biggest prizes for an individual player was awarded to the EURO 2024 and Premier League winning midfielder. He pipped Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr to the award.

The 28-year-old played 50 times last season, and despite being predominantly being a defensive midfielder, he had 14 assists and nine goals. Vinicius Jnr won the Champions League, with 24 goals and 11 assists, but journalists opted to go with Rodri instead.

Ballon d'Or voting works with journalists from FIFA's 100 top-raanked countries picking their top five players for the calendar year. Their first choice is awarded six points, and their fifth choice earns one point.

The decision to give Rodri the award has split opinion, and Wolves’ skipper has delivered his verdict. In a now deleted post shared on his Instagram story, he said: “Rodri is the best midfielder in the world yes but the best player in the world right now is Vinicius no doubt. Bye football.”

Lemina and Vinicus Jnr were never teammates, but the 32-time Gabon international has shared the pitch with Rodri, having faced him when Wolves and Man City met in the Premier League.

After showing his displeasure at France Football’s decision, Lemina must now gear up for Wolves next match against Crystal Palace at the weekend. He has been ever present for Wolves this season, captaining them in all nine of their league matches. He was a substitute in the Carabao Cup games against Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion.