Rodri has given his view on the Ballon d'Or fallout which saw Real Madrid protest the awards ceremony and refuse to attend after learning Vinicius Jr would not win the award.
The 28-year-old Manchester City midfielder was awarded the accolade, with Los Blancos forward Vinicius coming second and teammate Jude Bellingham voted third.
The success followed City winning the Premier League title once again, as well as his contribution to Spain winning Euro 2024 over the summer.
Despite Vinicius missing out on the Ballon d'Or award, Real Madrid enjoyed a successful night in Paris as they were named the best men's football club and manager Carlo Ancelotti won the best men's football coach award.
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However, nobody from the Spanish club was present to accept the awards as all players and staff did not attend the ceremony out of protest as they believed Vinicius had been unfairly snubbed.
Rodri has now spoken about Real's decision not to send anybody to the awards ceremony and also the player he would have voted as the runner-up behind him in the voting, which was not Brazilian star Vinicius.
It was a Real Madrid player, however, but also a team-mate of Rodri in the Spanish national team who experienced Euros success last summer in the form of defender Dani Carvajal.
Speaking to COPE, via the Manchester Evening News, Rodri said: "It didn’t hurt me that they weren’t present. I have to respect everyone’s decision, although I wouldn’t have acted the same way. But they do what they want.
"I would vote for [Dani] Carvajal second, and yeah, Vinicius third. I never disrespected anyone, and I truly respect Vinicius and Real Madrid.
"People have to understand that healthy sportsmanship. In the end, it’s a private party, a moment when you’re not thinking about anything else.
"I didn’t miss Vinicius not congratulating me. I care about my people, my family and my club. I wouldn’t have done what Real Madrid did by not showing up to the gala, but there’s no point in thinking about it any more."
Rodri joined City in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid for £62.6 million and he has gone on to score 26 goals in 260 games for Pep Guardiola's side.
He has won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at City.
The midfielder is expected to miss the rest of this season following a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and undergoing knee surgery.
Topics: Rodri, Manchester City, Ballon d'Or, Spain, Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid
John McDougall