Rodri Responds to Real Madrid's Boycott of the Ballon d'Or Ceremony

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, has shared his thoughts on Real Madrid's decision to boycott the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony, which coincided with his historic win of the prestigious award. Rodri made headlines by becoming the first player from Manchester City to claim the Ballon d'Or, as well as the first traditional defensive midfielder to do so since Lothar Matthaus. This accolade recognizes his outstanding performance over the past year for both club and country.

Real Madrid's choice to abstain from the ceremony was largely influenced by their disappointment that Vinicius Jr did not secure the top honor, which ultimately went to Rodri. In contrast, the Manchester City delegation attended the ceremony last year when Erling Haaland was expected to win but lost out to Lionel Messi. When asked about the boycott, Rodri expressed his acceptance of Real Madrid's stance, saying, "They have their decision. They didn’t want to be here for their reasons. I accept that." He emphasized that his focus was on the support he received from those present at the event.

Despite the boycott, Rodri revealed that he received a congratulatory phone call from Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, who shared his happiness for Rodri’s achievement. This gesture highlights camaraderie among players, even amidst club rivalries. Reports have also suggested that some individuals within FC Barcelona celebrated Rodri's success, viewing it as a positive outcome for their own interests at the awards ceremony. Overall, Rodri's historic win and the surrounding reactions have sparked significant discussion in the football community.