During a recent interview, Manchester City’s Rodri expressed his lack of surprise at being excluded from the Ballon d’Or top three list. He conveyed his belief that the award prioritizes “money and advertising” over merit. The 2021 Ballon d’Or was clinched by Lionel Messi, with City’s Erling Haaland and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe following. Speaking to The Mirror, Rodri stated, “This is normal. I understand very well how things work in these individual awards,” highlighting that they are often influenced by marketing and commercial interests. Despite his disappointment, Rodri emphasized that his primary focus in football remains the collective achievements of his team.
