Rodri sent a message to Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid star snubs the Ballon d’Or ceremony | football

Vinicius Jr is already considered a strong favorite to win the prestigious prize after playing a key role in Real Madrid winning the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.

But a leak in the build-up suggests that Rodri, 28, will get the award after a stellar year with Manchester City and Spain, where he won the Premier League and Euro 2024.

This prompted Madrid’s delegation, which was set to include Vinicius Jr, to cancel their trip to Paris in protest, meaning none of them will be in attendance to collect Los Blancos’ Men’s Club of the Year gong.

Vinicius Jr was said to be ‘devastated’ to finish second behind the City midfielder, then tweeted: ‘I’d do it 10x if I had to. He is not ready,’ in a clear message to the organizers of the Ballon d’Or.

Later reports coming out of Spain revealed how Vinicius Jr threw a big party in Madrid to celebrate winning the award, which was thrown out of Brazil when it looked like Rodri was going to win.

“When your value is recognized at a very high level, the last championship or not, it will always come,” Rodri told France Football.

‘In addition, there is also an important collective aspect. For example, Erling (Haaland) was in a better position than me to win last year. I want to come to support him in this special moment.

‘Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important. Then, this year, with injuries and rehabilitation, this event is like a breath of fresh air.

‘So when I decided to come, it was more important to enjoy this beautiful evening.’

“Rodri is a class act on and off the pitch and I’m delighted he won,” the former Manchester United and England right-back told The Overlap US.

“What I want, but you will not get from Real Madrid players because there is a sense of entitlement about the club in general, like that and they have produced some of the best players of all time. Real Madrid have good players.

“What I like is that Vinicius Jr is still traveling to the awards and he will invite Rodri to the party and he will celebrate with him and say, “Well, Rodri, you are amazing. player and know something? Next year, I hope to win!”, because that, to me, is what class is like.

‘We don’t know. All Real Madrid players did not come to the event, the manager did not come to the event. I think there were five Real Madrid players who were awarded on the night and none of them came out in protest, I suspect that Vinicius hasn’t won yet.

‘Vinicius is a special talent, he’s amazing, he’ll win one day, I’m sure, but the idea of ​​you trying and taking the glory… I know, he’s a fan’s player, he’s a player’s player. , he is a man who will be respected all over the world and a good man… I just think it’s not class.’

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