‘Marketing, money and advertising’ – Manchester City star Rodri raises sharp criticism on Ballon d’Or award

Manchester City star Rodri has questioned the validity of the Ballon d’Or award after he failed to feature in the top 3 of the list. It was Argentina icon Lionel Messi who won the prestigious award – a record 8th time – last October for leading his nation to World Cup glory. Meanwhile, Rodri, who also had a tremendous outing with The Citizens, was overlooked and finished fifth.

The Spanish midfielder was placed behind his teammates Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland as well as Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. However, Rodri said he was not surprised to be left out of the top three as he believes individual awards are driven by “marketing, money and advertising”. The 27-year-old added that what he achieved collectively in the game matters to him the most.

In an interview with The Mirror, Rodri said: “I am not surprised. This is normal. I understand very well how things work in these individual awards. They are based on marketing, money and advertising. There have been midfielders before who were also Spanish who did not get what they deserved. Do you understand what I mean? (Laughs). What ultimately matters to me in football is what I achieved collectively.”

Reflecting Rodri’s statement, he was instrumental in City’s treble-winning campaign last season. Notably, he scored the crucial goal that secured the Sky Blue heroes their first Champions League title last June. Pep Guardiola’s men are gearing up for another successful campaign this time around.

U23 coach Javier Mascherano says Messi has invitation to play 2024 Olympics

Former Argentina midfielder and current U-23 coach Javier Mascherano has said that Lionel Messi has the invitation to represent his nation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Messi, who is currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, recently won the FIFA Best award and his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or.

“Well, everyone knows my relationship with Leo, the friendship I have with him. I have always said that a player like Leo has opened doors and the invitation to accompany us then will obviously depend on him, his compromises and his time, but the invitation will clearly be there,” Mascherano said.

Notably, the Inter Miami forward won gold with Argentina at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The men’s football event at the Olympics is scheduled to take place in July and August.