Featured Image Credit: Getty/El Hormiguero
Topics: Manchester City, Rodri, Ballon d'Or, Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies
Topics: Manchester City, Rodri, Ballon d'Or, Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Premier League, Football
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has given his honest thoughts about Ballon d’Or rival Vinicius Junior - but Neymar is not happy with his comments.
Rodri, 28, was awarded the coveted prize on Monday, 28 October, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
This was after Real Madrid star Vini Jr, 24, had also been tipped to secure the award, which is widely regarded as the award for being the best player in the world.
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As a result of missing out, the Spanish side did not travel to the French capital for the occasion despite striker Kylian Mbappe sharing the Gerd Muller Trophy with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. Madrid were also crowned 'Club of the year' but this was still not enough to make them attend the star-studded awards ceremony.
Quickly after Rodri's name was announced, Vini tweeted: "I'll do it 10 times if I have to. They're not ready."
Rodri has been out of action since sustaining a knee ligament injury in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on September 22.
Now, the Spanish midfielder has finally spoke out about the Ballon d’Or debacle.
“I think he’s a smart guy and with time you’ll realize that the more you pay attention on the field, the better he [Vini Jr] will be," Rodri told Spanish TV programme El Largeuro.
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“Athletes are not just what you represent on the field, but also off it.”
But it was Vini Jr's Brazil teammate Neymar who could not help but give his thoughts on Rodri's words with a five-word dig in the comment section of Futeousadia's Instagram post.
The Al Hilal man commented: "Virou falador agora (he becomes a talker now - in English)."
Neymar previously referred to the Real Madrid man as a "great idol" and "hero" for the people of Brazil even explaining how he didn't "think there's anyone but him [Vini Jr] to win it [Ballon d'Or]" when speaking to SNTV [Via TNT Sports] in October.
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The former Barcelona man has also never won the Ballon d’Or despite arguably being one of the best players over the last 15 years.
In Neymar’s case, he was up against the seemingly unstoppable Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with this year’s nominee list being the only one to not feature one of the pairing since 2003.