Manchester City's prolific midfielder Rodri has made a claim on why he did not make it to the top 3 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.
According to him, the award prioritises “money and advertising”.
Barcelona legend and Inter sensation Lionel Messi saw off the competition from Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappe of PSG to clinch the coveted individual trophy. Lionel Messi, who had already won the award a record seven times, extended the record by adding his eighth to his kits. Messi became the first player in the history of the award to win the award outside the shores of Europe as he had signed for MLS outfit Inter Miami.
As usual, Messi's 8th Ballon d'Or win was marred with controversies with some analysts insisting Erling Haaland had done enough to deserve the award.
Rodri was also tipped as a top contender for the award. The Spaniard came fifth behind team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. When was asked about not making the top three.
He told The Mirror: “I am not surprised. This is normal. I understand very well how things work in these individual awards.
They are based on marketing, money, and advertising.
“There have been midfielders before who were also Spanish who did not get what they deserved. Do you understand what I mean? (Laughs). What ultimately matters to me in football is what I achieved collectively.”
Rodri was integral to Manchester City's historic treble-winning campaign. He scored the winning goal that saw City edge out Inter Milan to lift their first Champions League.
He also won the UEFA Nations League with Spain national team.
According to him, the award prioritises “money and advertising”.
Barcelona legend and Inter sensation Lionel Messi saw off the competition from Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappe of PSG to clinch the coveted individual trophy. Lionel Messi, who had already won the award a record seven times, extended the record by adding his eighth to his kits. Messi became the first player in the history of the award to win the award outside the shores of Europe as he had signed for MLS outfit Inter Miami.
As usual, Messi's 8th Ballon d'Or win was marred with controversies with some analysts insisting Erling Haaland had done enough to deserve the award.
Rodri was also tipped as a top contender for the award. The Spaniard came fifth behind team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. When was asked about not making the top three.
He told The Mirror: “I am not surprised. This is normal. I understand very well how things work in these individual awards.
They are based on marketing, money, and advertising.
“There have been midfielders before who were also Spanish who did not get what they deserved. Do you understand what I mean? (Laughs). What ultimately matters to me in football is what I achieved collectively.”
Rodri was integral to Manchester City's historic treble-winning campaign. He scored the winning goal that saw City edge out Inter Milan to lift their first Champions League.
He also won the UEFA Nations League with Spain national team.