Rodri says he was “surprised” that his Ballon d’Or success was criticised by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rodri won the award in October for his part in helping Manchester City win the Premier League and Spain the European Championship.
The decision sparked a strong reaction from Real Madrid who boycotted the award ceremony in protest at the fact Rodri was given the trophy over Vinicius Jr and Ronaldo, speaking at the Globe Soccer awards earlier this month, also thought the Brazil winger was hard done to.
Ronaldo said: “Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion it was clear.
“It was unfair. This is why I love Globe Soccer Awards, they are honest.”
Rodri on his Ballon d’Or reception at #ManCity: “I was talking with Kovacic: he has experienced Ballon d’Or parties in Madrid, but he told me that he had never seen anything like it. Very few places treat players as City do. I will be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL for what they did!” 🥰 pic.twitter.com/PN75vhxjGN
— City Report (@cityreport_) January 1, 2025
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Ronaldo should know better – Rodri
Rodri believes Ronaldo, as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, should have a better understanding of how the award is decided.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, the midfielder said: “Well, it was a surprise, really, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen.
“This year, the journalists who vote have decided that I should win it.
“Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win it, and I imagine that then he would have agreed.”
Rodri admits winning the award has change his life.
He added: “Maybe I wasn’t aware when I won it but yes, it has changed my life.
“Many things I could do before, now, obviously, not. But it’s for a good reason, it’s because of that recognition that I’ve had and that has been so important for me and my family. It’s an unforgettable moment.”
Recovery is going well
Rodri is currently sidelined after rupturing his ACL against Arsenal but he remains confident of playing again this season.
“Psychologically, [it’s going] much better than I thought. It’s what I imagined in terms of pain,” he said.
“The first month was very complicated, but on a mental level it’s going better than I thought.
“I know myself, I am a person who recovers well, a person with a positive mentality. Everything is going very well. Of course I want to play again this season.”
City have struggled without him. The win at Leicester on Sunday was just their second in 14 games in all competitions and they sit in sixth in the Premier League.
Don’t panic – Rodri
Rodri believes such slumps are inevitable after long periods of success and does not think it is time for panic.
He said: “It’s a time when the team has to be united. I know we are in a bad moment, a time that may be difficult for us to understand and in which we are not feeling well, but in the end this is part of the sport. You have to get up.
“The good thing is that there is time over the rest of the season. Soccer changes. I don’t think this moment is very significant in the end, neither for good nor for bad. You go through phases throughout the year. The seasons are now longer and maturity and being calm are important.
“Obviously, you don’t have to relax or believe that this is going to change overnight. That doesn’t happen in soccer. It has to gradually improve. We are in a situation, I would say, a little borderline. You have to try to win, but without panic.”
