Rodri received a standing ovation as he accepted the 2024 Ballon d'Or, but there was not a single Real Madrid representative in the audience.

The controversy surrounding Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or snub raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the selection process, as well as the potential influence of external factors beyond individual merit.

Rodri, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner, responded diplomatically to Real Madrid's boycott of the ceremony in support of Vinicius Jr, asserting that while he respects their choice, he would not have taken similar actions if roles were reversed.