Manchester City midfielder Rodri has fired back at Spanish club Real Madrid after they chose not to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, where he was crowned the best footballer in the world.
In an emotional statement, Rodri expressed his disappointment with the Spanish giants, insisting that he “cannot respect” their decision to snub the prestigious event in Paris.
The Ballon d’Or victory was a major surprise to many, as Real Madrid star Vinicius Júnior had been widely tipped to win the award.
However, when the news broke that Rodri, who helped Manchester City secure the treble with their triumphs in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, had been chosen as the winner, Real Madrid’s response was less than gracious.
The club, upset by the result, decided not to send any representatives to the ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet, and instead, hoped that their other player, right-back Dani Carvajal, would be recognized after his successes with Real Madrid, La Liga, and the Euros.
Rodri, who had been overwhelmed with emotion after winning the Ballon d’Or, shared his thoughts on the situation in a candid interview.
“I can’t describe the emotion [of winning the Ballon d’Or].
In my generation, we only see two guys winning the trophy—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said, referring to the long-standing dominance of the two football legends.
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Reflecting on Real Madrid’s absence, he stated, “I cannot respect the decision. In sport and in life, it’s important to win, but I think it’s even more important to know how to lose.”
He emphasized that the moment was about his achievement, not about other players or clubs. “It was my moment. I didn’t want to speak about others.
They didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be with my club, with my family, and with the people who were there to clap for me. That was a fantastic moment.”
Rodri’s comments underscore the emotional weight of winning the Ballon d’Or and the personal significance of his achievement.
Despite the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s reaction, the midfielder’s focus remains on celebrating the victory with his loved ones and supporters.