- Lionel Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or after glory in the World Cup with Argentina
- Rodri finished fifth behind Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Kevin De Bruyne
- Declan Rice showed his class after scoring against West Ham, those fans who booed him are DUMB – Listen to the Podcast Everything is beginning
Manchester City midfielder Rodri criticized the Ballon d’Or award, suggesting the winner is decided based on “marketing” and other factors.
It was Lionel Messi who claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or title after winning the men’s award at the 2023 ceremony following his outstanding season leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
Rodri, who also had a memorable season after winning the treble with Manchester City, went unnoticed and finished fifth.
In addition to Messi, he placed behind his City teammates Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and PSG star Kylian Mbappé.
The Spanish international understands that his position “marketing, money and advertising” influence when deciding the winner of the prestigious award.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri punched in the Ballon d’Or after being snubbed in 2023.
Rodri says the winner of the prestigious award is decided based on ‘marketing’ and other factors
It was Lionel Messi who won his eighth Ballon d’Or after winning the men’s award.
‘I’m not surprised… This is normal. I understand very well how things work in these individual awards. They are based on marketing, money and advertising,” Rodri told the Mirror.
‘There have been previous midfielders who were also Spanish and who did not receive what they deserved. Do you know what I mean?
“What ultimately matters to me in football is what we achieved collectively.”
As well as winning the treble last season, Rodri scored the vital goal that ensured City won their first Champions League title last June.
Pep Guardiola’s team has the chance to repeat the historic feat once again this season.
City are just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand and will face Copangen in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday before facing Luton in the fifth round of the FA Cup later this month.