Rodrigo Hernández, helm of the Spanish soccer team and Manchester City and brand new winner of the last Ballon d’Orstopped by the microphones of ‘El Partidazo de Cope’ on Monday night to share his feelings about the award and how he experienced being awarded the best footballer in the world in 2024. An interview in which he claimed to feel recognized despite the fact that many they considered Vinícius great favorite, and that does not take into account that the Brazilian or Real Madrid did not attend the gala in Paris.
The Madrid player acknowledged in the talk with Juanma Castaño that he wrote his thank-you speech shortly before the gala, because he did not trust he would win the award. “I didn’t have anything prepared and I remember that two days before the gala my father told me ‘We already know what there is, but you prepare something that could happen.'”
Asked why he believes he was finally chosen, the City player is very clear: «The regularity. It is the most difficult thing in football. It’s not about getting medals but I think the most consistent player that season was me. “I’m no one to debate whether he deserved it.”
And he explained an anecdote with Álvaro Morata, captain of the Spanish team, about the precious individual award. According to Rodri, his teammate always told him “you’re stupid, man, you should already have a Ballon d’Or if you had social networks.” Therefore, with the golden trophy in his possession, he responded: “Look, a Ballon d’Or and without social networks, let’s see if you learn.”
The rudeness of Real Madrid and Vinícius
After reflecting that Spain “we are a peculiar country in the sense that we are more about our club than about our country, something that does not happen in other countries”, and ensuring that he would vote “for Carvajal for sure, and Vinícius too”, the midfielder Spanish from Manchester City denied that he was hurt by the absence of Real Madrid at the gala. “No not at all. Once I win it, it’s my time to enjoy with my family. The last thing I’m thinking about is the people who didn’t come and didn’t want to participate in that gala.», he assured.
«They would have their reasons, they would have their motives. I wouldn’t have done it that way. But that doesn’t mean it was right or wrong. Everyone makes their decisions and that’s it. “We don’t have to give it much more thought,” he added about the white club’s decision, from which he also did not receive congratulations that he did not miss. «Miss, why? If it is because I am Spanish, then all the Spanish clubs should congratulate me and they don’t do that either.
Regarding the controversy over a video of the party after the gala in which the midfielder remembered Vinícius, Rodri explained that “in the end it is a private party that I am at, I am sure that if in the end we put a camera in each of our houses…”. “It’s a moment in which you’re not thinking about anything else,” he added, pointing out that at no time is anyone “disrespected, It’s one more thing of rivalry».
Rodri: « Vinicius, Ciao, Ciao, Ciao »
Vinicius chiale sur les réseaux sans féliciter Rodrigo.
J’en concluded that Rodri a donc le droit de le vanner. pic.twitter.com/28q0J7mYy7
— Le M (@le_m21x) October 30, 2024
The Spanish international settled the matter by ensuring that he “tremendously respects Vinícius, Real Madrid, and any player who has had a chance to win the Ballon d’Or.”
«Many people have congratulated me, one of those who has made me most excited has been Iniesta. What do I say to Iniesta? It gave me a little something, he should have one in his display cases too. That our country’s best player of all time does not have it… Life is like that,” he explained.
However, despite the impact of the award and the boost it can give to his already brilliant career, the Manchester City midfielder assured that the award has not changed him. «Luis Enrique said ‘What do you think, that a World Cup is going to change your life? I wish we won it, but you win it and life goes on and more goals follow.’ Winning a Ballon d’Or is a before and after, but it doesn’t change anything about what you plan to do, but maybe what people see in you.”
Messi, Lamine, Haaland and his serious injury
Rodrigo also referred to Messi as the “best player” in history, recommended Lamine Yamal “That he remains focused, that he puts all that talent he has at the disposal of what really interests him,” he acknowledged that at City “there will be a before and after” of Guardiola and described Erling Haaland as “a calm and funny guy.” and that he is the only one today who can come close to Cristiano and Messi in terms of numbers.
Regarding his serious injury, which will make him miss practically the rest of the season, he expressed his hope of reaching the Club World Cup. «It ends in July. “I have in mind to return.” Now he feels that “it is an important time to rest, to stop the machinery a little and come back stronger. I have surprised myself, I don’t have that anxiety to return now.
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