BARCELONA, SPAIN — Barcelona midfielder Rodri has insisted that he did not turn down a move to Real Madrid this summer because of the fallout from the 2024 Ballon d’Or controversy, describing the suggestion as untrue and insisting the award was a special moment for him and his family.
Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or despite Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior being the strong favourite to claim it. The decision sparked outrage at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid boycotting the ceremony in Paris in protest. After the 2026 World Cup, the Spain captain was heavily linked with a move to Los Blancos but ended up joining their eternal rivals Barcelona instead.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri dismissed claims that he made the decision because of possible tensions that could arise in the Madrid dressing room. “It’s not true that I rejected Real Madrid because they boycotted that Ballon d’Or,” Rodri said. “At the time, it didn’t affect me. It was my special day. There’s no point in talking about people who were not at the ceremony. It was a beautiful moment for my family and I.”
Rodri’s move to Barcelona marked one of the most significant transfers of the summer window, with the midfielder joining the Catalan giants on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City expired. His decision to join Barcelona rather than Real Madrid surprised many observers, given the Spanish capital club’s long-standing interest in securing his services.
Rodri insisted that his choice was based purely on footballing reasons, citing Barcelona’s project and the opportunity to work with manager Hansi Flick as key factors. “I wanted a new challenge, and Barcelona offered me that. The project here is exciting, and I believe we can achieve great things together,” he said.
The midfielder also reflected on his time at Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League. He described his spell in England as “incredible” and thanked the club’s fans for their support. “I will always be grateful to Manchester City. They gave me the platform to become the player I am today,” Rodri said.
Rodri’s arrival at Barcelona has strengthened the club’s midfield significantly, with the Spanish international expected to form a formidable partnership with Pedri and Gavi. His experience and leadership qualities are seen as crucial to Barcelona’s ambitions of challenging for La Liga and the Champions League this season.
The midfielder’s comments come amid ongoing debate over the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which remains a sensitive topic in Spanish football. Real Madrid’s refusal to attend the ceremony was widely criticised, with many arguing that it showed a lack of respect for the award and for Rodri. However, Rodri has consistently refused to be drawn into the controversy, preferring to focus on his football.
“I don’t want to talk about the past. I am focused on the present and the future. I am happy at Barcelona, and I want to help this club win trophies,” he said. “The Ballon d’Or was a moment of pride for me and my family. Nothing can take that away.”
As Barcelona prepare for their next La Liga fixture, Rodri’s focus is firmly on the pitch. The midfielder is determined to make a success of his time at the Camp Nou and to add more trophies to his already impressive collection. For now, he is content to let his football do the talking, having put the Ballon d’Or controversy firmly behind him.
