Rodri: Why Real Madrid Can’t Have My Respect

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has said that he “cannot respect the decision” of Real Madrid to completely boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Spaniard, who received the prestigious award, had been tipped as one of the favourites for the top prize, but Real forward Vinicius Junior had also been in contention, with many Madrid representatives expecting the Brazilian’s coronation to be a formality.

Instead, the Spanish giants decided not to show at the ceremony in Paris, with many believing that Vinicius not winning the showpiece award was the reason behind it.
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Rodri, who played a crucial role in Manchester City’s fourth Premier League title in a row and Spain’s Euro 2024 glory, has been ruled out for what seems to be the remainder of the season after he suffered an anterior-cruciate ligament injury in City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal earlier this term.

“I cannot respect the decision,” Rodri said of Madrid’s no-show on The Rest is Football podcast.

“In sport and in life, it’s important to win. But I think even more how to lose, and I say always the same – it was my moment, I didn’t want to speak about others.

“They didn’t want to be there – I want to be with my club, with my family, the people that were there and clapped me, and that was a fantastic moment.

“I have lived the best and worst part of my career with the Ballon d’Or and then injury, but it gives me oxygen to come back again in a good way,” he said.

“I can’t describe the emotion [of winning it]. In my generation, [we] only see two guys winning the trophy [Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo].”

Rodri, who scored the winner in City’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph against Inter Milan in 2023, has said that he is aiming to beat the clock and return to action before the end of the current campaign.

“My target is to come back this season,” he added.

“I don’t give up on this season, [but] I don’t want to make any mistakes. My target is six or seven months.

“I am doing much better than I thought. I am enjoying the rest, if it is possible to say it that way.

“My feeling was, not like a crack, the knee was stable. I was confident it wasn’t too bad. But I have a positive mentality now and that’s it.

“The first month and a half was bad in terms of pain. I couldn’t walk, but now it is easier.”