- Lionel Messi won 2023 Ballon d’O award after World Cup glory with Argentina
- Rodri finished fifth behind Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Kevin De Bruyne
- Declan Rice showed his class after scoring against West Ham, those fans who booed him are MORONS – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has hit out at the Ballon d’Or award by suggesting the winner is decided based on ‘marketing’ and other factors.
It was Lionel Messi who clinched 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 Man City, was overlooked and finished fifth.
As well as Messi, he was placed behind City team-mates Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland as well as PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
The Spanish international says he understands his position as ‘marketing, money and advertising’ play a role in deciding the winner of the prestigious award.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has hit out at the Ballon d’OR after he was snubbed in 2023
Rodri says winner of the prestigious award is decided based on ‘marketing’ and other factors
It was Lionel Messi who clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or title after winning the men’s award
Your browser does not support iframes.
‘I am 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 midfielders before who were also Spanish who did not get what they deserved. Do you understand what I mean?
‘What ultimately matters to me in football Is what I achieved collectively.’
As well as winning the treble last season, Rodri scored the vital goal which ensured City won their first Champions League title last June.
Pep Guardiola’s side stand within the chance of repeating the historic feat once again this season.
City sit just two points behind premier League leaders Liverpool with a game less played and will face Copangen in the last -16 of the Champions League on Tuesday before facing Luton in the fifth round of the FA Cup later this month.