Ballon d'Or 2024: Steve McManaman sympathises with Real Madrid ...
Steve McManaman admitted to being "surprised" by Rodri taking home the Ballon d'Or 2024 trophy, saying he "can see why" Real Madrid were aggrieved the midfielder pipped Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal to the honour.
Vinicius was the bookies' front-runner throughout the build-up to the ceremony, after leading Real to an astonishing 2023/24 campaign, scoring twice in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich before also netting in the final – a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Dani Carvajal, who finished behind his Real team-mates Vinicius and Jude Bellingham at Monday's star-studded ceremony, also had a strong case after scoring in the final as Real picked up their 15th Champions League trophy alongside winning La Liga. The Spaniard also played a starring role in his nation's Euro 2024 glory.
But the Ballon d'Or went to Rodri, who enjoyed a fine season as City claimed their fourth consecutive Premier League title alongside playing a significant part in Spain's European glory – much to the surprise of many, including McManaman.
"I think he’s had an incredible season," McManaman said of Rodri. "Everybody spoke about how well he did, of course, in a Manchester City shirt and then go on to win the Euros with Spain.
"But I think most people thought it was a surprise, I certainly thought it was a surprise. As I said, I think he’s had a great season. Congratulations to him. But we all thought Vinicius Junior would win the award after his exploits last year.
"Win the league with Real Madrid, and winning the Champions League as well, also scoring so many important goals in the semi-final against Bayern Munich, in the final against Borussia Dortmund, so I thought it was a surprise that Rodri won it."
The decision angered Real, who later told AFP: "Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."
The La Liga club felt that by using the "criteria" of Euro 2024 success to justify Rodri's triumph, Carvajal should instead have been given the award with three major trophies to the full-back's name in the previous campaign.
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McManaman agreed with that sentiment, saying he would like to know the "criteria" used, adding that the Real defender "had the best season that probably anybody could ever have".
"Also, I think the biggest surprise and certainly speaking to people from Real Madrid why they’re so upset about everything is they felt that what was the criteria?" McManaman continued.
"Because if Rodri was to win the Ballon d'Or for his exploits in the Euros, then they almost felt that Dani Carvajal is more worthy of winning it.
"He won the league, he won the Champions League and he scored in the Champions League final, and he also won the Euros, so I think Dani Carvajal has probably had the best season that probably anybody could ever have. So Real Madrid feeling slightly aggrieved.
"I’d like to know what the criteria of the voting system is, because it’s all very secretive and only the results came out at the very, very last minute.
"So huge congratulations to Rodri, centre midfielder, certainly deserves it, but I can also see why there’s so much furore over the result, and I can see Real Madrid's points as well."
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