Real Madrid Eye Rodri as Vinicius Jr. Fumes Over Ballon d’Or Snub
In a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid reportedly has Manchester City’s star midfielder Rodri on their transfer radar, just days after Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and teammates expressed frustration over Rodri’s recent Ballon d’Or win.
Rodri made history as the first City player to receive the prestigious award, typically reserved for more attack-oriented players. Known for his tactical brilliance and consistency, he went an impressive 74 matches unbeaten between March 2023 and May 2024 (penalties aside), underscoring his pivotal role in Pep Guardiola’s success.
Real Madrid, however, felt differently. Many at the club believed Vinicius Junior—who had a stellar season with 24 goals and 11 assists—was the rightful recipient of the award. Out of protest, Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid contingent, including manager Carlo Ancelotti (named Coach of the Year), skipped the ceremony in Paris, despite Real being awarded Club of the Year.
According to Relevo, despite this tension, Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri is very real. They view him as a potential replacement for Aurelien Tchouameni, whose performances have reportedly left the club wanting more as they transition away from icons like Casemiro and Toni Kroos. Though Tchouameni was once seen as “non-transferable,” Real might consider moving him if Rodri became an option.
Rodri’s current ACL injury, sidelining him for this season, isn’t deterring Madrid. They’re prepared to wait until next summer when he has just a year left on his contract or until his contract expires in 2026.
Interestingly, Dani Carvajal, Rodri’s teammate on Spain’s national team and Real Madrid captain, has openly voiced his hope for Rodri to join Los Blancos. “I tell Rodri every day to sign for Madrid, that we need him,” Carvajal admitted.
This budding transfer saga promises to be one to watch, as Real Madrid aims to bolster their midfield, and Rodri’s reputation as one of Europe’s best continues to grow.
