Sport
Rodri Wins Ballon d’Or and Votes Real Madrid’s Carvajal and Vinicius
Manchester City’s star midfielder, Rodri, recently shared his surprising picks for the 2024 Ballon d’Or votes.
Despite his stellar performances this season, which ultimately earned him the prestigious title, he didn’t put himself on top when voting for the award.
Instead, he revealed he cast his vote for two Real Madrid standouts, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, selecting Carvajal as his second choice and Vinicius as his third.
Rodri’s win at the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards marks a major milestone in his career.
At 28, he’s risen to become one of football’s most consistent midfielders, playing a crucial role for both his club and country.
His contribution helped Manchester City secure another Premier League title, and he played a pivotal role in leading Spain to a memorable victory at Euro 2024 in Germany, further solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
Reflecting on his votes, Rodri mentioned that he admired Carvajal’s defensive skills and leadership on the field, while Vinicius’s rapid growth and fearless style impressed him.
Both players, known for their dynamic performances at Real Madrid, have shown resilience and passion, becoming key figures in Spanish football.
Carvajal, with his wealth of experience, continues to be a defensive rock for Real Madrid, while Vinicius, at just 24, is carving his place as one of the world’s most exciting young talents, known for his explosive pace and creative flair.
In his interview with Partidazo Cope, Rodri expressed his admiration for his fellow players, stating, “I’d vote Dani Carvajal as 2nd at the Ballon d’Or and Vinicius Jr as 3rd.”
He also mentioned his respect for both players’ contributions on and off the field.
Chiamaka Nnadozie has been shortlisted for the Best Goalkeeper award in the French Arkema Premier League.
The Paris FC star is up against PSG’s Mary Earps and Lyon’s Christiane Endler for the top spot.
So far this season, Nnadozie has racked up 10 clean sheets, while Endler has 13 and Earps has 8.
Last season, Nnadozie made history as the first African—and Nigerian—to win the prestigious award.
The 24-year-old also bagged the National Union of Professional Footballers’ Best Goalkeeper title for the 2023/24 season. She’s currently regarded as the best goalkeeper on the African continent.
Former Real Madrid star Luis Figo has come to the defense of current manager Carlo Ancelotti, calling him the most successful coach in the club’s history.
Figo’s comments came after Ancelotti faced criticism following Real Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League by Arsenal. The team was defeated 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, prompting questions about Ancelotti’s future at the club, even though his contract runs until the summer of 2026.
Speaking to Gazzetta, Figo expressed his surprise at the backlash, noting that people often forget the bigger picture after a single result. “I know this world has a short memory. It’s hard to see beyond the most recent game,” he said, emphasizing that this is especially true in Madrid.
Figo also found it odd that, after the defeat to Arsenal, discussions focused solely on Ancelotti’s future. “It seems absurd to me that his ability would be questioned,” he added. “In football, you can’t win all the time, and that’s true even for Real Madrid.”
Brazilian football icon Cafu has highlighted Rodrygo as the driving force behind Real Madrid’s attacking success, placing him above the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham in terms of influence on the team’s play.
In a recent chat with SPORT, Cafu emphasized how crucial Rodrygo has become, stating that the team struggles creatively when the 24-year-old isn’t at his best. He noted that when Rodrygo is on form, it positively affects other key players like Vinícius, Valverde, Mbappé, and Bellingham.
Cafu described Rodrygo as a central figure in the squad’s dynamics, someone who helps Real Madrid connect and move forward effectively on the pitch. With 13 goals and 10 assists so far this season, Rodrygo’s impact is clear.
Having joined Real Madrid from Santos in 2019, the Brazilian winger continues to grow into one of the most vital players in the team’s setup.
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