Rodri, the midfielder for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, marking a significant achievement after he played a crucial role in securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title and winning Euro 2024 with Spain. His victory came as a surprise to many, especially since Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was considered a strong contender after helping his team to a Liga and Champions League double.
In a dramatic turn, Real Madrid announced they would boycott the ceremony at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, protesting what they viewed as a snub to Vinicius. They stated that if Vinicius wasn’t awarded the Ballon d’Or, then his teammate Dani Carvajal should have received it instead, due to their contributions in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the award criteria did not respect the club, leading to their absence from the event.
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Rodri addressed the boycott diplomatically, emphasizing his focus on his own club and teammates. Despite the organizers asserting that the winner’s name was confidential, there were claims that the news had leaked prior to the event.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati from FC Barcelona won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or, following her team’s remarkable success, which included a historic quadruple of titles. She highlighted her good fortune in being surrounded by talented players.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised Rodri as the best in his position, recognizing his ability to read the game and contribute both defensively and offensively. Rodri’s impact on Manchester City is evident; the team has suffered all four of their Premier League defeats in the past season when he was unavailable.
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win marks a highlight in his career, complementing his key contributions to both club and country, while Real Madrid’s decision to boycott adds a layer of tension to the prestigious award ceremony.
