During Spain's first national team camp of 2026, Manchester City's Rodri addressed the 2024 Ballon d'Or tension where he edged out Vinícius for the award after key roles in City's Premier League win and Spain's Euro success.
Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony, and post-win chants plus a City banner stirred backlash, which Vinícius answered with a tear-mimicking celebration in Madrid's recent UCL victory over City.
Rodri dismissed the feud as others pitting them against each other, while Madrid fans remain skeptical amid transfer rumors linking him to the club.
🚨 Rodri: “I have nothing against Vini Jr… I have maximum RESPECT for him, for everything he did that Ballon d’Or year too”.
“It’s other people who decide who wins the Ballon d'Or. They tried to put us against each other, but that’s not the case”.
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