2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has admitted he would’ve voted Dani Carvajal ahead of Vinicius Jr. if he could vote.
The Manchester City man, who is currently nursing an ACL injury, became the first midfielder to win the award since Luka Modric in 2018.
However, the win was not without its share of controversy, as Real Madrid decided to boycott the award ceremony, reportedly displeased with the knowledge that Vinicius Jr. would not be taking home the coveted Golden Ball.
Rodri, however, was unfazed by the absence of the Spanish club, and he didn’t shy away from sharing his own opinion on the ranking order.
Rodri Ranks Carvajal Above Vinicius Jr. For Ballon d’Or
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Rodri addressed the moment he received the award in Paris, where supporters of Vinicius voiced their discontent.
“I felt a bit of disbelief when, at the time of the presentation, half the room shouted ‘Vinicius, Vinicius!'” Rodri said. “In any case, there was a lot of respect for me from the audience because afterwards they all stood up and applauded me.
“The Ballon d’Or has rewarded consistency, which is the most difficult thing in football. I am not the one to say whether I deserved this award or not.
“In 2023, I thought I could win it for my great season at City, and this year I think I did even better.”
When asked who he would have chosen if he’d had a vote, Rodri revealed that Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal would have been his second choice over Vinicius, leaving the Brazilian in third place.
His preference for Carvajal over Vinicius reflects an appreciation for Carvajal’s contributions that may not have been as widely recognised in the Ballon d’Or rankings but were evidently valued by his fellow players.
🔛✨ Rodri: “I’d vote Dani Carvajal 2nd at the Ballon d’Or… and Vinicius Jr as 3rd”, told @partidazocope. pic.twitter.com/tg3CD80S5c
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 11, 2024
Rodri Comments On Real Madrid’s Boycott
The City midfielder downplayed any emotional impact of Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the ceremony, clarifying that it was his moment to celebrate with his family, regardless of who attended.
“It didn’t hurt me that they weren’t present. It was my moment with my family, and the last thing I thought about was the people who hadn’t come to the gala,” he explained.
Rodri noted that he had received congratulations from former Real Madrid players like Nacho and Joselu, with whom he had shared a dressing room for Spain.
“I wouldn’t have done what Real Madrid did by not showing up to the gala, but there’s no point in thinking about it any more,” Rodri stated, firmly indicating that he would have taken a more sportsmanlike approach, regardless of the outcome.
