In a night filled with mixed emotions, Manchester City midfielder Rodri celebrated winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or while sending a heartfelt message to his injured Spain teammate Dani Carvajal. The ceremony in Paris took a controversial turn as Real Madrid players, in a coordinated boycott, chose to stay in Spain rather than attend after learning that Vinicius Jr. would not be the recipient of the prestigious award.
Rodri, 28, received the coveted trophy after a stellar season that saw him contribute significantly to Spain’s European Championship victory and help Manchester City secure a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Despite arriving on crutches due to a serious knee injury that has sidelined him for the rest of the season, Rodri expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
“I have so many people to thank,” he stated, acknowledging his girlfriend Laura, family, and Manchester City teammates. He emphasized the importance of his national team and coach Luis de la Fuente, before paying tribute to Carvajal. “Carvajal should’ve been here with me,” he said, referring to the veteran full-back who recently underwent surgery for his own knee injury.
While Rodri celebrated his achievement, Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez cast a shadow over the night by deciding to boycott the awards ceremony. This decision came after the club had lobbied for Vinicius Jr. to win, asserting that the criteria should have recognized him as a deserving candidate. In a statement, Real Madrid criticized the Ballon d’Or selection process, claiming it disrespected the club by not awarding the accolade to either Vinicius or Carvajal.
Rodri’s win marked a historic moment, making him the first Spaniard to claim the Ballon d’Or in 64 years. However, the backlash from Madrid players clouded the festivities, as they took to social media to express their discontent, decrying “football politics.” Vinicius Jr. himself posted a defiant message, declaring, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” emphasizing his determination to continue proving himself.
As Rodri relished his victory, the boycott by Real Madrid left a sour taste, highlighting the ongoing tensions in football politics and the complex dynamics between clubs and individual accolades.
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