Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday after winning a fourth Premier League title and Euro 2024. The midfielder was unexpectedly named the world’s best player, while Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid was the favorite.
The Spanish club withdrew its delegation from the Chatelet Theatre ceremony hours before because it saw it as a snub of Vinicius. The Spanish and European champions suggested Dani Carvajal win if Vinicius did not. Like the Brazilian, Carvajal scored in the 2-0 Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” AFP said.
As this wasn’t the case, Ballon d’Or-UEFA clearly doesn’t appreciate Real Madrid. Real Madrid stays where it’s appreciated.”
Rodri, 28, helped Man City beat Arsenal to win the Premier League last season and was voted Euro 2024 player of the tournament when unfancied Spain won in Germany. Rodri handled Real’s no-show in his post-award press conference diplomatically.
“They have their decision, they didn’t want to be here for their reasons,” stated. “I just focus on my club and my teammates.”
The French organizers claimed that this year’s winner was a secret, but the revelation leaked before the festivities. Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati earned her second consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or after leading her team to an unprecedented continental quadruple and winning the Nations League with her country. Lionel Messi won the world’s most coveted football trophy for the eighth time last year.
