Real Madrid transfer target burns bridges with EXPLOSIVE comment

Robin Bairner

• 9 Nov 2024 12:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has criticised Real Madrid’s reaction to him winning the award but says he doesn’t care that the Spanish outfit boycotted the event.

Los Blancos believed that Vinicius Junior was the rightful winner of the award and when it became known that the Manchester City and Spain midfielder had beaten him to it, they elected to excuse themselves from the Paris ceremony.

It is a decision that has been widely condemned in the footballing world, with some even going as far to say as Vini Jr should be disqualified from winning the prize in future.

Rodri, meanwhile, has criticised Real Madrid’s actions but would not be drawn into hammering the club.

“Knowing how to win but also knowing how to lose is important,” he said. “What do you want me to tell you. That I would have preferred everyone to be there? Of course I did. The second, third, fourth etc. were missing. We all want the best players on the planet to be there at such an evening.”

The Man City star, who is currently out injured with an ACL injury, was pressed as to whether he holds the issue against Madrid.

“No, I have no bitterness. It was my moment. I mainly wanted to take care of those who are dear to me and who were there, not those who were absent,” he said.

Rodri wanted by Real Madrid

FootballTransfers had exclusively revealed that Real Madrid had been tracking Rodri as a potential midfield signing for the summer of 2025 prior to his Ballon d’Or success.

His criticism of the club will, therefore, go against him in any future dealings with Madrid, who are also seeking to sign Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold to their ranks for the 2025/26 season, with both of the aforementioned players available as free agents.

Rodri certainly will not be as cheap an option. The Man City man has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €100.4 million, and with a contract that runs until 2027, Real Madrid will do well to lure him away, particularly after their recent snub.