'Rodri deserves a Ballon d'Or' — Real Madrid president addresses Ballon d'Or snub

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, in a recent media appearance, addressed the club's decision to snub the Ballon d'Or gala when they caught wind that Manchester City’s Rodri won the gong ahead of the Real trio of Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal, who came 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively. 

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The Los Blancos were heavily criticised for their decision to miss the event, despite Carlo Ancelotti winning Coach of the Year and Real Madrid winning Club of the Year. 

Ancelotti has previously expressed his opinion on the decision, and now Perez, the foremost individual at the club, explained their reasoning. 

Perez told reporters that the decision to hand Rodri the Ballon d'Or came as a surprise to them, and one of the Real Madrid players in the top four should have won it instead. 

However, he praised Rodri for his skill, saying the 28-year-old former Madrid-born man should have won the award for last season and not this term. 

“Ballon d’Or? For sure Rodri is a great footballer and, he is from Madrid, he has our affection. He deserved a Ballon d'Or… but not this year, last year,” Perez said. “This one was for a Real Madrid player.”