We won’t see him again on a football field for many months. Injured ligaments in his right knee and still forced to use crutches, Rodri, 28, will have to wait before touching up a ball. But the Spanish defensive midfielder from Manchester City consoles himself by admiring the one decorated with gold which was awarded to him on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
The 2024 Ballon d’or received at length from France Football, the organizer of the prize, to discuss this award. And also return to his “duel” with Vinicius Jr, whom he ultimately leads by 41 points in the ranking of 99 voters. “The delivery was special, because it was the moment when part of the public shouted another name (that of the Brazilian),” he concedes.
While rumors gave Vinicius Jr as the winner, Rodri (who says he was never informed of his success before opening the envelope) says he had no thought of skipping the ceremony. “When your value is recognized at a very high level, final winner or not, it’s good to come. Besides, there is also the collective aspect which is close to my heart. For example, last year, Erling (Haaland) was in a position to win, much more than I could be, he remembers. I also wanted to come and support him in this special moment. Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important. And then, this year, with my long injury and the rehabilitation, this event was like a breath of fresh air. »
At midday on Monday, memorable for the sad tragicomedy on the Madrid side, the European champion believed it was “fake news” when he was told that the Merengue delegation had decided to boycott the evening… A glaring lack of fair play that he still has difficulty understanding.
“What do you want me to tell you?” That I would have preferred everyone to be present? Obviously yes. The second, third, fourth, etc. were missing. We want all the best players on the planet present at such an evening, he says. The best team of the year (Real Madrid) did not come to the ceremony despite the consecration of the best coach (Carlo Ancelotti), the co-top scorer (Kylian Mbappé). I have to respect everyone’s decision. Even if I wouldn’t have acted the same way. But they do what they want. »
In the few days following his coronation, the reigning English champion said he received more than 700 messages. The first he responded to was that of Iniesta, one of his recently retired glorious predecessors who never experienced this individual consecration. “Imagine, in my opinion he is the best Spanish player of all time, who would have deserved a Ballon d’Or (second in 2010 and third in 2012), he breathes. What pride for me! »
On the other hand, he confides that he has not received any text messages from former winners like Messi, Ronaldo, Modric or Benzema. The French striker (formerly of the White House) did not fail to post on the networks the lack of emotions that Rodri’s play gave him.
“It’s his opinion, he has the right to think that. I can’t hope to please everyone either, replies the person concerned. I pleased a jury of a hundred voters, that’s not bad. Then I also heard Paul Scholes explain the opposite, that he found my game very beautiful and intelligent, and coming from such a midfielder (formerly of Manchester United), that means something to me. And all I know is that Karim Benzema was a Ballon d’Or winner of an incredible level, I am well placed to know because he made us suffer that year (2022)…”
The Spaniard also explains that he must learn to manage his emotions and calm his nerves, especially when his team is trailing. And he returned to the infernal pace in modern football, which he denounced shortly before his serious injury. “There is a reflection to be made because, if I raised the question of the pace of competitions, I am also thinking of Yamal (2024 Kopa Trophy), Gavi (2022) and all the others,” he says. How many matches will they have played at an age when I was just starting out? This is why the reflection must also concern the players themselves. From a very young age, we talk to them about resilience, that you have to give your all, and in their heads it turns into: You absolutely have to play every match. Myself, when I arrived in the Premier League, I said to myself: “Play, play, play. “And, in four short months, I had killed myself for the end of the season…”
