Rodrygo has expressed his frustration after being left off the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or. The Real Madrid forward admitted he was surprised by the snub. “I was upset when I saw they didn’t include me in the Ballon d’Or nominees” he said. “I think I deserved it. I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place. It was a surprise but there is not much I can do, I don’t make decisions.”
🗣️ Rodrygo: “Often, I’m just filling the missing gap up front. Is there someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is there someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is there someone missing as a number 9? Rodrygo.
That’s it. It might bother me a little bit, but I’m a team player.” pic.twitter.com/OtcaWFMIAn
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 9, 2024
Despite the disappointment, Rodrygo remains focused on his ambitions with Real Madrid. The 22-year-old forward, who scored the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 victory against Ecuador on Friday, continues to aim for greatness. “I want to win all the titles that I have already won several times” he said. “Real Madrid is the best club in the world, and that is what motivates me, to be at the level of the best club in the world every day. That is why I get up every day to train and to be better.”
Rodrygo, who scored the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 victory against Ecuador on Friday, has had a quieter start to the 2024/25 season with Real Madrid, finding the net just once in five matches. However, his versatility on the pitch remains a vital asset. “Often, I’m just filling the missing gap up front. Is there someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is there someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is there someone missing as a number 9? Rodrygo,” he explained. “That’s it. It might bother me a little bit, but I’m a team player.”
Rodrygo was considered one of the notable omissions from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, a snub that sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, as Jamal Musiala also missed out on a nomination. Despite the disappointment, the young Brazilian seems more motivated than ever to prove his worth on the football field.