Wow! The respect is lacking; the gentlemanly honor is even less so. And I’m not just referring to the snub at the presentation of a well-deserved award to Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, who became the second Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or, following Luis Suárez back in 1960, just a week ago. The 28-year-old Manchester City player, solid, elegant, and poised, an example of balance, surprisingly triumphed over Brazilian Vinícius, who was considered the favorite until the very last moment. This left the Real Madrid fans in a shocking offside position.
Rodri arrived on crutches due to a serious knee injury, having his titles with Manchester City counted (Premier League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup) and with the Spanish national team—¡Arriba España!—(Euro Championship). The midfielder from Madrid, who was developed in the local team known as Atlético de Madrid (Cholo vete ya), was chosen among four finalists that included Vinícius, Dani Carvajal, and Bellingham.
In his acceptance speech, alongside thanking his partner, Laura Iglesias, his family, and Manchester City, Rodri emphasized that the award is also a collective recognition, acknowledging many Spanish footballers who deserved the accolade, such as Xavi Hernández, Iniesta, or Iker Casillas. “This is a victory for Spanish football,” he underscored. He also shared some heartfelt words for Carvajal, who suffers from the same injury as him and whom he deemed as deserving of the award just as much as himself.
Rodri admitted that he faced tough times in his career, such as when he moved to Villarreal. “At 17, I packed my bags to pursue a dream; I never thought I would achieve this. One day I said enough, I called my father crying, thinking it was over, but he told me that if we’ve come this far, we weren’t going to throw in the towel. This proves that a normal guy can reach the highest heights.”
Rodri isn’t known for foolishness, doesn’t need to dye his hair or sport tattoos on his legs, arms, backside, or erogenous zones. He doesn’t even hit up the nightclub the night before a match. On the pitch, he neither dribbles nor needs to; he doesn’t perform acrobatics or tricks. Head held high, he “cleans up the game, fixes the ball, and adds flair to the play: he distributes, creates football, and cuts off the opposition sportsmanlike.” He brings pause, composure, strength, and a change of pace. Consistent inside and out, he exudes wisdom and fairness with a cannon in his legs.
He isn’t on social media. While playing, he studied Business Administration. He is discreet and prudent. He doesn’t provoke opposing players or fans, nor does he act up with referees (without suffering penalties). He has improved and modernized the legacy of Socrates, Gullit, Kroos, Laudrup, Zico, Redondo, Xavi, Iniesta, Zinedine (you know them), and even the great Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento from his baptismal party).
By this point in the game, you should understand why Rodri received the Ballon d’Or and not the other: through merit. Values, sportsmanship, class, fair play, camaraderie, and knowing how to conduct oneself. As if that weren’t enough, Florentino’s ridiculous reaction, lacking sportsmanship, not congratulating the winner or showing any semblance of fair play has only justified those who voted for Rodri (and left the others in a shocking position). Some left empty-handed while Rodri walked away with the ball. Not celebrating others’ merits has its consequences. And it will have them.
