Rodrygo Opens Up About Ballon d'Or Snub and Frustration
Being left out of the Ballon d'Or nominees was the final straw for the Brazilian. In an interview, he spoke about that and his role at Real Madrid.
Rodrygo has openly expressed his frustration over not being included among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or, despite having a successful season with Real Madrid, where he won La Liga, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup. The Brazilian forward, known for his talent and determination, sarcastically shared his discontent on social media by posting an image of all the titles he had won, accompanied by laughing emojis.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Rodrygo did not hide his disappointment: "I was upset, I think I deserved it," he stated. While he clarified that he didn’t want to undermine the players who were nominated, he admitted that he expected to see his name on the list. "It was a surprise... but there's not much I can do; I'm not the one who decides these things," the Madrid star added, emphasizing the key role he's played in the club's recent triumphs.
Rodrygo also mentioned the support he’s received from his Real Madrid teammates and the Brazilian national team: "Everyone knows about my frustration. I’ve been supported by people in both the national team and at Real Madrid. People were messaging me," he explained. Despite the disappointment, the player remains focused on his career and is determined to continue proving his worth.
Regarding his versatility on the field, Rodrygo admitted feeling some frustration about being used as a utility player in various forward positions: "Often, I’m just filling in the gaps. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as a number 9? Rodrygo. That bothers me a bit, but I'm a team player," he acknowledged. However, he remains committed to helping the team in any role he’s asked to play.
He also reflected on his early days at Santiago Bernabéu, describing how he arrived as a shy young player but now feels fully at home: "I came as a kid, and now I’m a man. I feel totally at home." His personal and professional growth at the club is evident, and with more maturity, he says he’s more comfortable than ever.
Rodrygo also spoke about his ambitions to continue winning titles with Real Madrid. "I think about winning all the titles I’ve already won, several times. This is the best club in the world, and that's what motivates me. I wake up every day to train and to get better," he said, making it clear that his hunger for success remains as strong as ever.
Despite not being nominated for the Ballon d'Or, Rodrygo remains focused on his career and determined to keep winning with Real Madrid.