Manchester City midfielder Rodri has responded to the controversy surrounding Vinícius Júnior’s absence from the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, insisting that he harbors no ill will toward the Brazilian winger or his club, Real Madrid. Rodri, who was awarded the prestigious individual honor on October 28 in Paris, said he was not concerned by the absence of Vinícius and his Madrid teammates at the event.
Real Madrid had chosen to boycott the Ballon d’Or gala amid fears that Vinícius, widely seen as one of the leading candidates for the award, would miss out. In the end, Rodri secured the prize with 41 more points than Vinícius in voting by 100 international journalists, with Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal rounding out the top four.
Speaking in an interview with COPE radio on Monday, Rodri downplayed the significance of the boycott, emphasizing that his focus was on enjoying the moment with his family rather than on those who chose not to attend. “Why would it hurt me [that Vinícius wasn’t there]?” said the Spanish international, who is currently sidelined with a long-term ACL injury. “It was my moment, to enjoy with my family. The last thing I’d be thinking about is people who weren’t there, and didn’t want to participate.”
Rodri also reiterated his respect for Vinícius and Real Madrid, acknowledging their achievements in the past year. While Rodri’s performances were key to Manchester City’s Premier League title and Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, Vinícius played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s LaLiga and Champions League triumphs. “I love that people vote what they feel. It’s someone’s opinion,” Rodri added. “I respect Vinícius hugely, and Real Madrid, and anyone who knows me knows it … I’d vote for Carvajal, and Vinícius too. Maybe Carvajal second.”
While the Ballon d’Or is a highly anticipated annual event, the decision by Madrid’s delegation to skip the ceremony led to speculation about tensions between the club and Rodri. However, the Manchester City star dismissed any suggestion of conflict. “There are no issues,” he said. “It’s just how things go.”
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In addition to discussing his Ballon d’Or win, Rodri reflected on his future in the game. The 28-year-old is contracted to City until 2027, but speculation has linked him with a potential return to LaLiga and a move to Real Madrid. However, Rodri insisted that his primary focus at present is recovering from his injury, and that renewing his contract with City is not a priority. “I want to recover [from my injury] and we’ll see,” he said. “I like to live in the present. I’m very happy at City. It’s been my home since I arrived in England, and it doesn’t make sense to close any doors.”
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Rodri’s response highlights a professional and pragmatic approach to a situation that has stirred significant debate in Spain, with many fans and pundits questioning whether Vinícius’ absence was a result of personal animosities or simply a decision based on the disappointment of his Ballon d’Or snub. For now, Rodri’s message remains clear: there are no hard feelings, and his focus is firmly on the present as he looks to continue his career at the top level.