Manchester City player was announced in a ceremony this Monday (28)

Spanish midfielder Rodri, from Manchester City, was confirmed as the winner of the Ballon d’Or award, a trophy awarded in partnership between France Football magazine and UEFA. The ceremony was held this Monday (28), in Paris. The player surpassed Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, from Real Madrid, to achieve the feat.

Rodri’s selection for the Ballon d’Or had been expected since early in the morning, when the European press announced that Real Madrid had banned Vini Jr. from attending the event. The Spanish club were irritated to learn that the striker had not won the award. Vini was one of the highlights of European football last season, playing a leading role in the Champions League and Spanish Championship titles.

In addition to Vinícius Júnior, Belligham and Carvajal, who are also Real Madrid athletes, were in contention with the Spaniard. Rodri received the golden ball from the hands of former player George Weah and celebrated the achievement.

“What an incredible night for me. I have many things to thank, first of all, France Football, UEFA, for the honor and the chance to be here for another year. Thanking those who voted for me gave me that confidence. It’s a special day for me, for my country. I wanted to thank the most important person in my life, Laura, my girlfriend, who we’ve been together for eight years and without her the journey wouldn’t have been the same. that they gave to me, to my agent. I don’t want to forget my teammates, to the City staff. Without you I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Being at the best club in the world makes everything easier. football won”, said the midfielder.

At 28, Rodri won the first Ballon d’Or award in his career. The Spaniard was revealed by Villarreal and played for Atlético de Madrid before arriving at Manchester City in the 2019/2020 season.

Last season, the midfielder was a highlight for City in the Premier League title campaigns, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup, when they beat Fluminense in the final. He was also important in Spain winning the European Cup.

Real Madrid even asked for the end of the award. The Spanish club was named team of the year and had coach Carlo Ancelotti elected to the squad, but there was no one to receive the awards on stage.

“The Ballon d’Or no longer exists for us,” the Spanish club reportedly told Spanish newspaper Marca. The Spanish team would send a delegation of 50 people to the French capital, for the award ceremony. However, the club reportedly received information that Vini Jr. would not be the winner of the award and decided to organize a boycott of the event. No player from the squad attended the event.

Vini Jr.’s teammates on the Brazilian national team and Real Madrid also expressed outrage. Frenchman Camavinga stated that the Brazilian does not need the award to prove his talent.

“My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. I love you my brother”, he wrote on his social networks.