I’m Sad Missing Out Of Ballon d’Or List – Rodrygo
Real Madrid star, Rodrygo has expressed his disappointment after missing out on the nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or nominees.
The organisers released a 30-man list last week with Real Madrid duo of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior expected to battle it out with Manchester City’s Rodri for the award.
Rodrygo said his versatility may have cost him a Ballon d’Or nomination after scoring 17 goals and registering nine assists in 51 appearances for the club last season.
His Madrid team mates Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, as well as the now-retired Toni Kroos, were all nominated.
He said: “I was upset, I think I deserved it, I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, I think they deserved it also.
“But I think I had a place in the 30. It was a surprise but there is not much I can do as I’m not the one who decides these things.
“Often, I’m just filling spaces, is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as number nine? Rodrygo. That’s it.
“It may get in my way a little, but I’m a team player.”
Rodrygo primarily plays on the right but can also play on the left or as a centre forward, and is often utilized as a second striker by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The nominees are selected by France Football’s editorial team in collaboration with the Ballon d’Or ambassador – former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba – and selected members of the media.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.
I’m Sad Missing Out Of Ballon d’Or List – Rodrygo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper