At the recent Ballon d'Or gala, the atmosphere was marked by the absence of Real Madrid. The awards ceremony, which took place in Paris, attracted the attention of soccer fans around the world.
However, the news that left many people speechless was the victory of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who won the prestigious award. This event has sparked an intense debate in the world of sport, especially among the fans of the Spanish team.
The Ballon d'Or Gala
Real Madrid decided not to attend the Ballon d'Or Gala, which surprised many. The reason behind this absence was frustration at not seeing Vinícius Júnior, their Brazilian star, among the nominees in the men's category.
Madrid fans were hoping that their player would receive recognition for his outstanding performance last season. However, the award brought a new surprise with it.
Rodri, who's been instrumental for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, was chosen to take home the Ballon d'Or. This is a significant achievement, as he's the first Spanish player to win the award in 60 years. Rodri's win has been celebrated by many, but has also sparked reactions of discontent in Madrid.
Real Madrid's Reaction
Real Madrid's reaction after the Ballon d'Or was handed out was one of disdain and anger. Fans and club directors didn't hide their disappointment. The general feeling was that Vinícius deserved to be on the shortlist.
This feeling of offense grew when they found out that the award went to a Manchester City player, which further frustrated the Madrid fans.
Carlos Herrera, known for his incisive comments on the COPE radio station, highlighted an interesting aspect. According to him, if Manchester City hadn't warned Real Madrid, the club would've attended the ceremony in Paris and experienced an epic moment.
This situation could have led to a live reaction that would've been hard to forget. The idea that Madrid, with its rich history, would attend a gala without receiving the expected accolade is, at the very least, ironic.
Pep Guardiola's Role
Amidst all this controversy, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is in the spotlight. His team has been very successful in European soccer in recent years, and many people have praised him.
However, Rodri's recent Ballon d'Or win has sparked criticism of how players are evaluated today. Some think Guardiola's influence on Rodri's growth has been key to his success.