Rodri tackles Real Madrid

Rodri was therefore crowned Ballon d'Or 2024. A rare mark for a midfielder specified to lead the engine room rather than being close to the surface. He still greatly improved his personal statistics in this last year with 9 goals and 14 assists in 50 matches in all competitions (compared to 4 goals and 7 assists the previous season). Despite this, his coronation was experienced as a humiliation by Real Madrid. A few hours before the award of the trophy which it considered to go to Vinicius Jr, Casa Blanca decided to no longer send its delegation to Paris. Obviously, in the absence of the biggest club in the world and its numerous representatives, the controversy quickly grew.

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To justify itself, the Spanish club had heard of the results in advance, and of Rodri's victory, ahead of the Brazilian or other players in its squad, such as Dani Carvajal, winner of the Euro as well and of the Champions League. Champions. “If the award criteria do not designate Vinicius as the winner, these same criteria should designate Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is obvious that the UEFA Golden Ball does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected» he had justified. For most observers, the Merengues had shot themselves in the foot for not recognizing the defeat of theirs, even though the Ballon d'Or is a particularly celebrated object in the Madrid institution.

Rodri on Real Madrid absence: “my first reaction was: I don't believe it, it's just fake news»

Even Rodri, the winner, a Spaniard what's more, and highly appreciated by Real Madrid did not understand this absence. “To be completely precise, at midday when we were getting ready to board, we received several messages from friends telling us that Real Madrid would not come. My first reaction was: I don't believe it, it's just fake news», he assures France Football during the interview celebrating the trophy winner. The Manchester City midfielder takes an example from himself and his teammate Erling Haaland, whom he went to support last year at the Théâtre du Châtelet, even though the Norwegian was very close to winning. . The Norwegian finally finished 2nd, behind Leo Messi. The Spaniard finished in 5th place.

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«Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important» he said in substance. Rodri also explains that he was not informed before the ceremony of his future victory. He even thought he wouldn't win since most of the commentators placed Vinicius Jr ahead of him. It was when he learned of Real Madrid's absence that he started to believe it. “What do you want me to tell you. That I would have preferred everyone to be present? Obviously yes. The second, third, fourth etc. were missing. We want all the best players on the planet at such an evening. The best team of the year did not come to the ceremony despite the consecration of the coach (Ancelotti) and the co-top scorer (Mbappé). I have to respect everyone's decision, even if I would not have acted the same way. But they do what they want.»

Rodri: «I have no bitterness»

A Spanish club which refuses to celebrate a Spanish player (only the 3rd in history and the first in 64 years!) can of course be misinterpreted, because in turn, it is Spanish football which is being celebrated. And Real Madrid is a prominent representative of national football. However, the winner does not want to hold it against his competitor. “No, I have no bitterness. It was my moment. Above all, I wanted to take care of those who are dear to me and who were there, not those who were absent.» Injured for a long time, he was able to celebrate without thinking about the competition tomorrow. To see him on the field again, we will have to wait a few more months, to the great dismay of Manchester City and their coach, Pep Guardiola.