Sports
Rodrygo Reacts To 2024 Ballon d’Or Snub Despite Strong Season
The 23-year-old Brazilian international had an impressive season, scoring 17 goals and providing nine assists in 51 appearances for the Spanish club. However, unlike his teammates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo did not receive a nomination for the prestigious award.
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“I was upset, I think I deserved it,” Rodrygo told ESPN., external
“I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, I think they deserved it also. But I think I had a place in the 30.”
The nominees for the Ballon d’Or are selected by France Football’s editorial team, in collaboration with the award’s ambassador, former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba, along with selected members of the media.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.
Rodrygo, who was part of the Real Madrid squad that secured both La Liga and Champions League titles last season, missed out on the shortlist.
His Real Madrid teammates, including England midfielder Jude Bellingham, Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr., Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, and the recently retired Toni Kroos, all received nominations.
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France’s Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, also made the list.
Rodrygo suggested that his versatility in playing various positions for both club and country might have contributed to his exclusion from the nominees.
“Often, I’m just filling spaces,” he said. “Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as number nine? Rodrygo. That’s it.
“It may get in my way a little, but I’m a team player.”
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