Florentino Perez expresses disappointment over Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or instead of Real Madrid players.
Rodri, a 28-year-old midfielder from Spain, made history by being the first defensive midfielder to win this award since 1990. His win is seen as a big achievement, especially after helping Manchester City and the Spanish national team achieve great success.
This year, Rodri’s win came after he played a key role in Manchester City’s fourth straight Premier League title and their victory in the European Championship. However, many top players, especially Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid, were left out of the running for the award, causing anger among Real Madrid fans.
In response to the situation, Real Madrid decided to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris. Florentino Perez later released a statement on the club’s website, expressing his confusion and disappointment over the award going to Rodri.
He acknowledged Rodri’s talent and said, “He deserves a Ballon d’Or, but not this year.” Perez believes that Rodri’s award should have been given last year when he played a crucial role in his team’s success. He insisted that a Real Madrid player should have won this year, regardless of the voting criteria.
Florentino also mentioned that the Ballon d’Or should be managed by independent people who are respected in football. He feels that this would ensure fair voting for such a prestigious award.
The disappointment for Real Madrid fans grew when Rodri returned to Manchester City with a grand celebration. He showcased his Ballon d’Or trophy in front of over 55,000 fans at the Etihad Stadium.
For now, Rodri is focusing on recovering from a knee injury and aims to return to the field for Manchester City this season, despite the ongoing frustration from Real Madrid supporters.
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