Mon Oct 28 19:12:38 UTC 2024: ## Manchester City’s Rodri Emerges as Ballon d’Or Frontrunner, Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony
**Paris, France:** Spanish midfielder Rodri of Manchester City is now the leading contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, with the ceremony scheduled for tonight in Paris. The news has prompted Real Madrid to cancel their trip to the event, reportedly due to their disappointment that Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, initially the favorite, will not be taking home the trophy.
Sources close to Real Madrid revealed that the club, which included players like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal in their delegation, initially considered sending their Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, but ultimately decided against attending.
Despite a severe knee injury sustained in September, Rodri, already in Paris, is seen as a strong contender. He played a crucial role in Manchester City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title last season and led Spain to victory at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. Widely regarded as the world’s best defensive midfielder, Rodri is considered indispensable to Manchester City. His odds have surged significantly in recent weeks, fueled by speculation surrounding Vinícius Júnior’s chances. If he wins, Rodri would become the first Manchester City player ever to claim the Ballon d’Or.
Other Manchester City players nominated for the Ballon d’Or include Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden. Manager Pep Guardiola is also in the running for the Best Coach award, while young talent Savinho is nominated for the Kopa Trophy for Best Under-21 Player.
First Piper 