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From Teenage Doubt to Ballon d'Or: Rodri's Journey to Football's Top Honor

2025-10-06 03:46:54 By Skylar Lawrence

Manchester City's Rodri has confessed that he almost left football behind during his youth, but his perseverance paid off as he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or. His victory is a testament to the sport's team spirit, as he secured the accolade despite Real Madrid's immature protest following Vinicius Jr's runner-up position. Rodri's achievement is all the more remarkable given his fourth straight Premier League title and his recognition as Player of the Tournament in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.

'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football

Rodri's Ballon d'Or victory is a significant moment for football, as he nearly ended his career in his teenage years. Despite the controversy surrounding Real Madrid's boycott of the ceremony, Rodri's win is well-deserved, following his contribution to Manchester City's consecutive league titles and his standout performance in Euro 2024. His win signifies the recognition that football is a collective effort, not just about individual star power. Since 2007, only a few have broken the duopoly of Messi and Ronaldo in winning the Ballon d'Or. Rodri, who attended the ceremony on crutches after a season-ending surgery, emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, "We are often overlooked compared to more attacking players, but this time it's our moment. I'm just an ordinary guy who benefits from his work, striving to be a good teammate and to give my best." Rodri also paid tribute to past midfielders who have won the Ballon d'Or, acknowledging the era of Messi and Ronaldo and heralding a new chapter with many great players emerging. He is the first Manchester City player and the first Spanish male since Luis Suarez in 1960 to win the award. His teammate, Ilkay Gundogan, expressed joy for a defensive player's recognition, stating, "From now on, he's not underrated anymore." Rodri, who was mentored by Diego Simeone and now plays under Pep Guardiola, has become an exemplary modern midfielder. He scored the decisive goal in the 2023 Champions League final and said, "Winning the Ballon d'Or is a dream come true and an honor for me." He attributed his success to Manchester City's strong team performances, expressing gratitude to his teammates and the club's support system, which allows him to focus on his game and perform at his peak. Rodri, who is now looking forward to regaining full fitness and returning to the pitch, also shared his challenging journey, recalling a moment at 17 when he considered giving up, but his father's encouragement changed his mindset. He concluded by encouraging young people to work hard, stating it's his formula for success and a message that with dedication, one can achieve great heights.

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Guardiola Praises Rodri, Laments Ten Hag’s Sacking, and Addresses Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or Boycott

Pep Guardiola Extends Praise to Rodri and Expresses Regret Over Ten Hag's Dismissal "May this incident serve as motivation for him to bounce back strongly for the next campaign and rejoin our ranks!". What are your thoughts on Real Madrid's absence at the Ballon d’Or ceremony? Pep Guardiola Commends Rodri and Laments Ten Hag's Dismissal “May this event provide him with the necessary vigor to make a robust comeback for the upcoming season and be part of our team once more!” Opinion on Real Madrid's Non-Attendance at Ballon d’Or? “Whether they attend or not, it's their choice. Whether they wish to congratulate or not, it's also their prerogative. We are not in a position to critique the decisions other clubs make,” Guardiola asserts. “I feel deeply for Erik ten Hag”. “I maintain an exceptional rapport with him, and he epitomizes Manchester United's conduct with utmost dignity”. “Victory in this sport is contingent upon outcomes; we can all be vulnerable…”. “He will undoubtedly return with enhanced resilience”.

Unveiling Ballon d'Or Votes: El Salvador's Journalist Reportedly Omitted Vinicius, Adding to Madrid's Frustration

The anticipation for the complete Ballon d'Or voting results is high, with one nation notably omitting Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. from their top 10 picks. The absence of Vinicius Jr. from the 2024 Ballon d'Or list has sparked widespread discontent among Real Madrid fans, media, and even the household pets, who are reportedly incensed that Manchester City's standout player, Rodri, has claimed the prestigious golden award. With the full list of Ballon d'Or votes yet to be revealed, it's been observed that one country has not placed Real Madrid's Brazilian winger within their top 10 selections. The outrage in Madrid over Vinicius Jr.'s exclusion from the 2024 Ballon d'Or is palpable. Fans, journalists, and even the pets in your home are said to be seething with anger over Rodri, Manchester City's top talent, winning the coveted trophy. If tempers are already flaring, avoid mentioning El Salvador. Understanding the Ballon d’Or Process For the men's category, 100 journalists—one from each of FIFA's top 100 ranked countries—cast their votes for the winner from a list of 30 nominees. They also vote for the Yashin Trophy (for the best male goalkeeper), as well as the Men's Coach of the Year and Men's Club of the Year. Conversely, the women's Ballon d'Or is decided by a panel of 50 journalists, one from each of FIFA's top 50 ranked countries for women's football, who also choose from the same 30-player list. This panel is responsible for the Women's Coach of the Year and Women's Club of the Year awards. Each voter ranks their top 10 candidates for the Ballon d'Or, allocating points in descending order: 15 points for their first choice, then 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point for the subsequent picks. The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the player with the highest aggregate points from all votes. Reports from Spain suggest that the journalist from El Salvador did not consider the Real Madrid winger in their top 10 for the Ballon d'Or. While official confirmation is pending, it is suggested that Bellingham, Haaland, and Kroos were among the top 3 choices of the journalist in question. Rest assured, as soon as we have the verified news, it will be reported on AS USA.

From Scrutiny to Mastery: Zaïre-Emery Joins Neves and Vitinha in PSG’s Midfield Masterclass Against Marseille

 Paris Saint-Germain's recent triumph in Le Classique has left fans and pundits alike praising the synergy of their midfield. The game, which ended in a decisive 3-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille, showcased the exceptional performance of the young midfield trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, propelling PSG to the summit of Ligue 1.    Following their commanding win, the Parisian side is riding high, and the starting midfield of Neves, Vitinha, and Zaïre-Emery has been lauded for their contributions to the team's success. This dynamic trio was instrumental in securing the win against Marseille, with each player demonstrating exceptional skills that have elevated them to the top of the French league. Neves opened the scoring for PSG within the first seven minutes, demonstrating his exceptional passing and close control throughout the match. Vitinha displayed remarkable playmaking and dribbling skills, along with an impressive level of composure on the field. Zaïre-Emery, who had been under scrutiny for inconsistent performances, delivered what could be his finest display of the season. The French midfielder's tireless work rate was evident, as he fought for the ball and initiated numerous counterattacks for PSG. The trio's on-field chemistry was evident, suggesting that manager Luis Enrique might consider maintaining this combination for the long term, as their diverse skill sets complement each other effectively. Neves seems perfectly suited to his role as the team's orchestrator, adept at reacting swiftly to on-field developments and maintaining possession in tight spaces. Vitinha's swift ball control and ability to deliver the ball into threatening areas were a significant challenge for Marseille, while his abilities also disrupted the opposition's transition game. Zaïre-Emery's performance against Marseille was a testament to his maturity and endurance, providing balance to PSG's midfield. This marks the third occasion this season that the trio has started together in midfield, and each time they have secured a resounding victory for their team. All three were part of the midfield when PSG achieved a 6-0 victory over Montpellier HSC and a 3-1 win against LOSC Lille. Initially, Enrique had opted to break up this combination, but given their recent performance, it seems unlikely he will do so again in the near future. GFFN | Joel Lefevre

Manchester United's veteran players reportedly believed that Erik ten Hag's disciplinary measures against Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were excessive. Ten Hag was dismissed by the club on Monday, following a poor start to the season and a tenure marred by conflicts with players, notably Ronaldo.

<Ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford was characterized by several disputes with players, including a notable disagreement with Ronaldo shortly after his arrival. In October 2022, tensions escalated when Ronaldo declined to come on as a substitute in a match against Tottenham, leading to his exclusion from first-team training, a decision that initially had the backing of the squad. However, the situation soured when Ronaldo was denied access to the dressing room to collect his training shoes, an act that some senior players viewed as an 'unnecessary humiliation,' as ESPN reported. In the wake of this incident, Ronaldo gave a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, in which he accused Ten Hag of disrespecting him. This led to the termination of Ronaldo's contract by mutual consent, and he subsequently joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Ten Hag's time at United was not without other public disputes. The following season, he clashed with Sancho after the winger was left out of a match against Arsenal due to his training performance. Sancho responded on social media, accusing Ten Hag of making him a 'scapegoat,' leading to his exclusion from the squad. Despite encouragement from teammates to apologize, Sancho refused, and the standoff resulted in him being loaned to Borussia Dortmund in January 2024. Sancho's return to Germany was successful, as he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final. However, United representatives reportedly asked pundits to stop speaking positively about Sancho, as it would reflect poorly on the club. Upon his return to Carrington in the summer, Sancho was reintegrated into the first team after reaching an understanding with Ten Hag. Nevertheless, Ten Hag's discomfort with Sancho's return led to his loan to Chelsea in August, with Chelsea obligated to buy Sancho for £23m next summer, a significant loss for United who had purchased him for £73m in 2021. Sancho has begun his time at Chelsea positively, contributing three assists in his first five league games, while Ten Hag has returned to the Netherlands following his departure from United.

Emi Martinez and Partner Face Hostility at Ballon d'Or Gala

Emi Martinez and his spouse were subjected to relentless heckling upon their entrance at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Despite this, the 32-year-old Argentine goalkeeper triumphed by retaining the Yashin Trophy. His actions during the 2022 World Cup final have made him a figure of scorn among French supporters. Emi Martinez and his spouse were subjected to relentless heckling upon their entrance at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. However, the Argentine, aged 32, had the final word as he successfully defended the Yashin Trophy. His antagonistic behavior during the 2022 World Cup final has made him a figure of scorn among French supporters. Martinez not only delivered an exceptional performance and played his psychological games during the penalty shootout but also incited French fans with his provocative celebration with the Golden Glove trophy. Nevertheless, Martinez was awarded the Yashin Trophy in 2023 for his World Cup achievements. Upon his return to Paris on Monday evening, he faced another hostile reception. Dressed in a black tuxedo, the Aston Villa goalkeeper walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with his elegant partner Mandinha, who wore a flowing red dress. The boos from the crowd were unmistakable, and neither seemed amused by the situation. Martinez briefly gave a thumbs-up, but it was unclear whether this was a genuine gesture or a sarcastic reply to someone not visible in the frame. The couple then posed for photographs before entering the Theatre du Chatelet for the prestigious awards ceremony. Inside, Martinez was recognized as the world's best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year, following his contributions to Aston Villa's Champions League campaign and Argentina's Copa America victory. He outperformed the likes of Spain's Unai Simon, Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, becoming the first goalkeeper to retain the title. In the overall Ballon d'Or rankings, Martinez placed 18th in the voting, surpassing Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Antonio Rudiger, Cole Palmer, and others. Rodri claimed the top men's award for his performances with Manchester City and Spain's victory at Euro 2024. Rodri defeated Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, and local favorite Kylian Mbappe in the voting. His fellow Spaniard Lamine Yamal finished eighth but secured the Kopa Trophy for the best young player under 21. The 17-year-old's standout performance at the Euros made him the third Spaniard in four years to receive the honor, following

Rodri Celebrates Ballon d'Or Win at Restaurant with Man City Teammates, Despite Season-Ending Injury Premier League's First Ballon d'Or Winner Since 2008: Rodri Revels in Victory with Dias, Addresses Injury Napkins in the Air: Rodri's Joyful Celebration of Ballon d'Or Triumph, Joined by Man City Allies

Manchester City's Rodri was spotted reveling in his Ballon d'Or victory at an eatery on Monday evening. Despite being sidelined for the season due to a serious knee injury, the Spanish footballer made history as the first Premier League player to claim the prestigious award since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008. Rodri, a key figure in Manchester City's fourth consecutive league title and Spain's European Championship triumph, was captured enjoying his Ballon d'Or win at a restaurant on Monday night. At 28 years old, Rodri has been a pillar of consistency, having lost only a single club match in the past 18 months. The celebration was somewhat marred by controversy as Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr boycotted the event following his exclusion from the nominations, but this did not affect Rodri's high spirits. Following his win, a clip surfaced on social media depicting Rodri's ecstatic reaction to receiving the award in a dining establishment. The video, shared on Manchester City's social media, featured Rodri joined by teammate Ruben Dias, joyfully singing a chant in his honor. Joined by a group of companions, the pair enthusiastically sang and tossed their napkins in the air in a show of jubilation. The festivities continued throughout the night with Rodri and his entourage singing and waving napkins overhead in celebration of his win. Basking in the accolades on Monday night, an emotional Rodri expressed, "Tonight has been incredible for me. If you allow me, I would like to speak in my native tongue." Switching to Spanish, he continued: "I always strive to better myself each day." He elaborated on his evolution from a traditional midfielder to one who contributes more in terms of assists and goals, stating, "You must embody the role of a forward because we often operate in advanced positions. That's the key to daily improvement." Describing himself as an ordinary individual, Rodri said, "I simply aim to enjoy my profession, be a good person, a leader, and learn from the best every day." He also shared a message for the youth, advising, "I am calm until provoked. I am just a regular person, and I tell my children that you don't need to be extreme; just do your best." Regarding his injury, Rodri remained optimistic, saying, "I am feeling much better. Such a significant injury is part of life and sport. I try to focus on the positive aspects."

Ten Hag’s Manchester United Exit: Guardiola Laments ‘Challenging’ Profession, Predicts Resilience

Pep Guardiola is optimistic about Erik ten Hag's future, believing he will emerge stronger following his dismissal from Manchester United. Ten Hag's time at the helm of Manchester United concluded on Monday, precipitated by the team's 2-1 loss to West Ham in the Premier League the day before. Guardiola expressed his confidence in Ten Hag's ability to bounce back after the setback at Manchester United. His dismissal came after a two-year stint at Old Trafford, which included a defeat to West Ham that led to his departure. Throughout Ten Hag's tenure with Manchester United, he encountered Guardiola on seven occasions, securing two wins and suffering five losses, with a notable victory in the FA Cup final in May. Despite this, Ten Hag was unable to capitalize on that triumph. Manchester United currently sits 14th in the Premier League standings, having earned only 11 points from their first nine matches. Guardiola lamented, "I feel genuinely sorry for him; football is one of the most challenging professions. It's exclusive to us, not like teaching or architecture." He continued, "I extend my best wishes to him, and I am certain he will return more resilient. Dismissal is a reality for any of us if the outcomes are not satisfactory, including myself." During his 85 Premier League matches in charge, Ten Hag lost 27, marking the highest number of losses for any United manager since Alex Ferguson. His loss percentage of 31.8% is the second highest among Red Devils managers in the Premier League era, only surpassed by David Moyes with a 32.4% loss rate over 34 matches. Under Ten Hag, Manchester United faced a total of 1,739 shots across 128 games. By comparison, since the 2022-23 season, Manchester City has conceded 717 fewer shots than Manchester United, even though they have played six additional matches. Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Ten Hag's coaching team this summer, will serve as the interim head coach while the club seeks a permanent successor.

Fabrizio Romano Confirms: Amorim's Deal with Manchester United is Fully Agreed

According to Fabrizio Romano, the contract terms, project outline, and all specifics of the deal involving Rúben Amorim and Manchester United have been fully agreed upon. Discussions are currently taking place with Sporting Lisbon to resolve the details of Amorim's departure. Fabrizio Romano states that all contract stipulations, project details, and agreement specifics between Rúben Amorim and Manchester United have been finalized. Talks are ongoing with Sporting Lisbon to determine the path for Amorim's exit from the club.

Sergio Aguero Criticizes Real Madrid's 'Entitlement' Over Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or Snub

Sergio Aguero has taken a swipe at Real Madrid, calling them 'entitled,' following the club's response to Vinicius Jr's omission from the Ballon d'Or award. The Brazilian forward and his team were incensed by the decision to honor Manchester City and Spain's Rodri with the accolade, leading to a boycott of the Paris ceremony on Tuesday evening. Sergio Aguero has taken a swipe at Real Madrid, calling them 'entitled,' following the club's response to Vinicius Jr's omission from the Ballon d'Or award. The Brazilian forward and his team were incensed by the decision to honor Manchester City and Spain's Rodri with the accolade, leading to a boycott of the Paris ceremony on Tuesday evening. In a statement, Real Madrid claimed that the prize not going to either Rodri or Dani Carvajal demonstrated a lack of respect from UEFA towards the club. This was followed by a statement from Vinicius' camp on Wednesday, in which the 24-year-old suggested that his vocal stance against racism was the reason for his exclusion. Aguero, who played alongside Rodri for two seasons at the Etihad, believes his former teammate deserved the award and criticized Madrid's reaction to the outcome. 'Well deserved. Rodri is the best player in the world.' He said on his streaming channel. 'Football is for everyone, not just Real Madrid – they are so entitled.' https://img.allfootballapp.com/www/M00/59/93/720x-/-/-/CgAGVWchBoyAKVDGAAF7mi_AcDQ912.jpg Vinicius was a top contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or after his significant contributions to Madrid's LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double. He scored six goals and provided four assists in ten Champions League appearances and had 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches. He broke his silence shortly after an emotional Rodri received the award on Tuesday night, acknowledging his roles in Spain's Euro 2024 victory and his club's fourth consecutive Premier League title. 'I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready,' he posted on X, implying future achievements. Reuters later reported that this comment was related to his fight against racism in recent years. 'The football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.' A member of the Brazilian forward's management staff is quoted by the outlet as saying. Madrid's statement to AFP said: 'If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. 'As this was not the case, it is clear that

Pep Guardiola Respects Real Madrid's Absence from Ballon d'Or Gala

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, respects Real Madrid's choice to abstain from the Ballon d'Or event, stating that it's their prerogative. Rodri was honored with the prestigious award in Paris, acknowledging his contributions to Manchester City's historic fourth consecutive Premier League triumph and his role in Spain's triumph at Euro 2024. Pep Guardiola acknowledges Real Madrid's decision not to attend the Ballon d'Or event, asserting that it's their right to do so. Rodri claimed the prestigious award in Paris, recognized for his instrumental role in Manchester City's record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title and his part in Spain's Euro 2024 win. The midfielder's significance is underscored by Manchester City's unbeaten streak in the 34 Premier League matches he played in this year. Rodri narrowly edged out Vinicius Junior for the honor, with the player and his club causing a stir by not showing up after learning he wouldn't be the winner. Last season, the Madrid winger scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists, contributing to the team's double win in LaLiga and the Champions League. Guardiola expresses sympathy for Vinicius, whom he believes also merited the award, and points out other close calls in past years where the outcome could have swung either way. "It's their decision," Manchester City's boss remarked. "If they choose to congratulate, that's acceptable. If not, that's fine too. We at Manchester City don't judge other clubs on their choices." "Last year, Erling [Haaland] achieved the Treble and scored over 50 goals. I told him: 'Just being nominated is a joy.' I conveyed the same sentiment to Rodri. Being among the top contenders is remarkable. You should be very proud." "Last season, could Erling have won? Certainly. Could Messi have won? Absolutely. It's not about who wins. It signifies that you and your teammates have achieved something special that season." "Should Vinicius have won? Possibly. It's [decided by] journalists worldwide, not a select group. It reflects a global consensus, not just one country's opinion. The diversity of views is what makes football great, isn't it?" "Of course, if [Vinicius] had won, it would have been well-deserved. The same goes for Erling [Haaland] last year. The competition is truly open. There are more opportunities to win." Guardiola also commended Rodri, who became only the third Spanish player to win the Ballon d'Or after Alfredo di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960). The midfielder was also the first Spaniard in the top three since Andres Iniesta in 2012, and Guardiola recognized the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the years. "Rodri gave an incredible speech," Guardiola added. "He spoke about his family, Manchester City, and Spanish football." "In the last decade, Spanish football has made a significant impact - they've won a World Cup, a Euros - yet Spain had never won this award before. Their contribution over the past 10 to