Not a single player, coach, or official from Real Madrid attended the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning that their star, Vinicius Junior, would not be winning the prestigious award. This absence did not go unnoticed, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri taking a subtle swipe at Real Madrid for their decision to skip the event.
The Ballon d’Or ultimately went to Rodri, who defied the odds to claim the honor, despite Vinicius being a favorite throughout the year. At 24, Vinicius led Los Blancos to a La Liga–Champions League double, racking up 24 goals and nine assists across 39 appearances. However, Rodri’s standout achievements with City, including a fourth consecutive Premier League title and a Euro 2024 victory with Spain, earned him the award. This made him only the second non-attacker to claim the prize since 2007.
In response to Real’s protest, Rodri, a former Atletico Madrid player, subtly underscored the importance of showing grace, regardless of the outcome. Speaking to France Football, he remarked, “When your value is recognized at a very high level, final winner or not, it’s good to come.” He added, “Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important.”
For Rodri, supporting teammates in big moments is essential, as he noted, “Last year, Erling [Haaland] was in a better position than me to win. I wanted to come to support him in a special moment.” Reflecting on the ceremony, he shared, “With my injury and rehabilitation, this event was like a breath of fresh air. So when I made the decision to come, it was above all to enjoy this superb evening.”
When directly asked about Real Madrid’s boycott, Rodri diplomatically said, “What do you want me to tell you? That I would have preferred everyone to be there? Of course, I did. The second, third, fourth, etc., were all missing… [but] I have to respect everyone’s decision. Even if I would not have acted the same way.”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has since stated that the Ballon d’Or is now “behind” the club, emphasizing instead the recent floods in Spain, which tragically took over 200 lives and led to the cancellation of their La Liga match against Valencia. Ahead of Real’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League, Ancelotti expressed, “The sadness is not [due to the Ballon d’Or], but for what is happening here in Spain.” He reassured fans that Vinicius is “fine” and focusing on his training alongside the team.
