Manchester City and Real Madrid were both the focus of the footballing world last night, as the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony was held in Paris.

It had been reported a couple of weeks ago that Vinicius Junior was expected to win the Men's award after a stellar year.

But ahead of the ceremony, there were suggestions that Vinicius was going to miss out on the Ballon d'Or to Rodri.

In the end, the Manchester City maestro did indeed take home the prize, with Vinicius and all other representatives from Real Madrid not even attending.

The Brazilian winger and the Spanish giants have been heavily criticised for their decision. Certainly, Erling Haaland's response to Messi winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or was much classier.

It was a remarkable evening, and one wonders if the whole situation means we will never be seeing Rodri in a Real Madrid shirt.

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Apparently, Carlo Ancelotti and his chief scout Juni Calafat were said to 'dream' of landing the Spaniard.

It was then reported that Rodri himself was interested in the idea of signing for Real Madrid.

Currently, Rodri has a contract with City until 2027. But it is thought City are looking tie Rodri down to an improved deal and make him one of the club's top earners.

Rodri will surely never want Real Madrid transfer after Ballon d'Or fiasco A move to Real Madrid was perhaps unlikely anyway, given Rodri is so adored at City and such a driving force in a highly successful team.

But at the end of the day, they will likely always be a temptation for many Spanish players given their stature and history.

But Real Madrid embarrassed themselves in front of the footballing world ahead of last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Them not sending anyone came off as extremely salty and entitled, and the subsequent backing of Vinicius by all their players on social media doesn't look defiant, it looks immature.

You can almost guarantee that had Vinicius won last night, Rodri would have sent his congratulations to the player.

Rodri is a humble man, and someone who is very principled. Txiki Begiristain said it perfectly last night after the ceremony (via mancity.com). "He is a player completely without ego, whose performance level over a very long period of time has been exceptional."

Real Madrid, with their actions last night, showed they are a club who are all about ego, and that just isn't Rodri.

Rodri has played down Real Madrid and Vinicius' behaviour, because that is the type of person he is. But surely deep down, he must have thought it was somewhat disrespectful.

It is difficult to see him ever wanting to play for a club that reacts to a setback so childishly, and City fans might just be seeing Rodri spending his whole peak at the Etihad Stadium.

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