Rodri, elected Ballon d’Or 2024 ahead of favorite Vinicius, assures that he did not disrespect the Brazilian during the celebrations of his coronation after the broadcast of an extract which could suggest the opposite.
Rodri calms things down. The Manchester City midfielder, elected Golden Ball 2024, assures that he did not disrespect Vinicius during the celebrations of his coronation. A video broadcast by Manchester City suggested that the Spanish international was making fun of the Brazilian winger, long tipped to win the individual award. Several supporters of Real Madrid, Vincius’s club, accused him of having intoned “Vinicius ciao, ciao, ciao” to the tune of “Bella ciao” in an extract ultimately deleted by the English club. Guest of the show Partizado de Cope, Rodri denies the accusations.
“I respect Vinicius”
“People need to understand that this is good sportsmanship, it was a private party,” he said. “If we put a camera in each of our houses… I didn’t disrespect anyone, it’s like one more rivalry. I respect Vinicius.”
The 2024 European champion with Spain also explains that he did not take the absence of Real Madrid badly as a protest against the non-awarding of the Golden Ball to Vinicius. “No, not at all,” he assures. “Once I win it, it’s time for me to enjoy it with my family. I don’t think about the people who didn’t come and didn’t want to enjoy the gala. It’s better than everyone being there, it’s full of children and it would have been great, but not for the part that touches me.”
He also explains his surprise when he heard the audience chanting Vinicius’ name when his victory was announced. “I’m in disbelief because I was waiting and half the room was shouting ‘Vinicius, Vinicius’… I felt a lot of respect from the audience, they applauded me.” In this long interview, he finally explains that he was not really told about his upcoming coronation. “Rumors came to me and those around me, but without certainty. We didn’t believe anything and we said we were going. I hoped that, when I was on crutches, someone would tell me something because that it was freaking me out. It was a curious day, top to bottom.”
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