'I Was Upset': Real Madrid Superstar Sounds Off Unfair Exclusion From Ballon d'Or Nomination

The top 30 nominees to win the Ballon d'Or were announced past week and it included some major surprises. For the first time since 2004, neither of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were among the players nominated for the prestigious award. 

Leading the nominees were Vinicius Jr, Rodry, Kylian Mbappe , Phil Foden, Toni Kroos among other superstars as these remain the favourites to be named the best player of the year for season 2023-24. However, Real Madrid star was surprisingly excluded from the nominees causing a big uproar. The footballer has now sounded off the unfair nomination. 

Real Madrid star reacts to Ballon d'Or sunb 

In a surprising move Real Madrid star winger Rodrygo was snubbed from the 30 nominees to win Ballon d'Or in 2024 despite having a great season with Real Madrid and winning the Champions League and the La Liga. 

Rodrygo recently admitted that he was left disappointed by the snub and could not understand why he wasn't included among the nominees. 

“I was upset when I saw they didn’t include me in Ballon d’Or nominees,” revealed Rodrygo to ESPN. 

While, Rodrygo was definitely not among the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or but the Brazilian believes that he deserved to atleast get nominated for the award. 

“I think I deserved it. I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place.  It was a surprise... but there is not much I can do, I don’t make decisions,” revealed Rodrygo. 

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Favourites to win Ballon d'Or 2024

As per the latest odds, Rodrygo's Real Madrid and Brazil teammate Vinicius Jr is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or in 2024 given his starring role to lead Real Madrid to their 15th Champions League crown and 36th La Liga title. 

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Manchester City 's Rodri, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Dani Carvajal are also in a close race to pip Vinicius Jr off his Ballon d'Or crown.