Rodri has responded to Vinicius Jr’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony, revealing that he would have handled the situation differently.
Also Read: Neville Criticizes Vinicius Jr’s Reaction to Rodri Winning Ballon d’Or
The snub occurred after Vinicius Jr had been a favorite to win the prestigious award, following his pivotal role in Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga triumphs last season.
However, it was Rodri who ultimately lifted the Ballon d’Or after a stellar year with Manchester City and Spain, where he claimed the Premier League and Euro 2024 titles.
In protest of Rodri’s win, the Real Madrid delegation, which included Vinicius Jr, canceled their trip to Paris. This meant no representative from the club was present to collect their Men’s Club of the Year award.
The snub left Vinicius Jr devastated, and he later tweeted, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” in response to finishing second.
Rodri expressed disappointment at the absence of Vinicius Jr and the Real Madrid delegation, stating, “What do you want me to tell you? I would have preferred everyone to be there.” Despite this, he emphasized that he respected their decision, though he personally would have acted differently.
He added that, for him, the event was about enjoying a special evening and celebrating collective achievements, such as supporting teammates like Erling Haaland during last year’s awards.
Rodri, who was also named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, called for maturity in both winning and losing, pointing out that knowing how to accept defeat gracefully is just as important as celebrating victory.
He acknowledged Vinicius Jr’s immense talent, but questioned the approach taken by the Brazilian in handling his loss. Rodri emphasized that class should prevail, encouraging Vinicius to attend future events and continue supporting others in their moments of success.
Gary Neville, former Manchester United and England defender, also criticized Vinicius Jr’s actions, calling them “classless.”
Neville suggested that the Real Madrid star should have attended the ceremony and later invited Rodri to his party, congratulating him for his achievement. “That’s what class looks like,” Neville said, highlighting the importance of sportsmanship.
Despite the controversy, Vinicius Jr remains a top talent in world football, and many believe he will win the Ballon d’Or in the future. However, his reaction to this year’s award has sparked debate about how players should conduct themselves in the face of disappointment.