Manchester CityOf Rhodri Said he could not respect Real MadridThe decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or event in October after receiving the award Vinicius Jr.
The midfielder was awarded the individual prize after a superb season which saw him pick up Premier League Along with the trophy and the European Championship with City Spain.
Rodri’s toughest competition was Vinícius, who refused to travel to Paris for the ceremony after learning he would not be receiving the award with the rest of the Madrid squad and club executives.
“Well, it’s usually a decision for individuals or clubs to decide what to do. I can’t respect that decision, I’ve always said I’m not going to do it that way,” Rodri said. Rest Football” said on the podcast.
“I remember last year maybe Erling [Haaland] I was close to winning it I wanted to cooperate with him all the club and although Leo [Lionel Messi] It won, we were there clapping because the Ballon d’Or and not the recognition of a player, it’s for a year, for a whole year for a man’s level.”
Vinícius was the front-runner to win the men’s award after helping Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season, but neither he nor his fellow Madrid nominees – eight in total across the various awards – Attended this event.
Madrid were named Men’s Team of the Year and Carlo Ancelotti received the Coach of the Year award at the ceremony, although no club representatives were on hand to accept the silverware. .
“In sports and in life, winning is important. But I think more about how to lose and I always say the same thing, it was my moment, I didn’t want to talk about others,” Rhodri added. said
“They didn’t want to be there — I want to be with my club, with my family, with the people there and applaud me and it was a wonderful moment.”
Prior to the event, Rodri suffered an ACL injury during a Premier League clash weapon Which has seen the midfielder ruled out for the foreseeable future.
“My target is to make a comeback this season,” he said. “I think in terms of my mindset it’s going to be positive for me not to give up on the season and throw it away. I don’t want to run away, you know, I don’t want to make mistakes.
“But yeah, that’s my mindset, I don’t know when … my target is six to seven months, but the physios, they’ll dictate.”