🏟️Rodrygo Reacts to Ballon d’Or Snub: “I Think I Deserved It”

Rodrygo, the Brazilian star for Real Madrid, has voiced his disappointment at not being included in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, despite his standout performances last season. The 23-year-old forward, who scored 17 goals and added nine assists in 51 games for Real Madrid, believes his versatility on the field may have contributed to his exclusion.

“I was upset, I think I deserved it,” Rodrygo said in an ESPN interview. “I don’t want to take away from the players who made the list—they deserve it too—but I believe I had a place in the top 30. It was a surprise, but there’s nothing I can do because I’m not the one making the decisions.”

Rodrygo, recognized for his ability to play in various roles, frequently fills in wherever Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti needs him. While usually positioned on the right wing, he has also played on the left, as a central forward, or as a second striker.

“Often, I’m just filling spaces,” Rodrygo noted. “If someone is missing on the right, they put me there. If someone is needed at number nine, it’s me again. It might be holding me back a little, but I’m a team player first.”

Although his teammates, such as Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, and retired icon Toni Kroos, were named in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Rodrygo remains dedicated to contributing to his team’s success, even at the expense of personal recognition.

The Ballon d’Or winner will be revealed in Paris on October 28, but for now, Rodrygo is committed to continuing to demonstrate his value on the field for both Real Madrid and Brazil.