Real Madrid star Rodrygo appears to aim cheeky dig at organizers after missing out on 2024 Ballon d'Or shortlist by highlighting best moments
Real Madrid star Rodrygo reacted to missing out on a 2024 Ballon d'Or nomination on Instagram with an alleged dig. The Brazilian shared a collage of six images depicting his achievements from last season, including winning the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Los Blancos.
Along with the images, Rodrygo added a laughing emoji, supposedly surprised and amused by not making it to the Ballon d'Or shortlist.
In 51 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, Rodrygo found the net 17 times and assisted nine times. He scored two crucial goals (one in each leg) against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and registered one assist against Bayern Munich in the UCL semi-final first leg.
However, despite having a stellar season with Real Madrid, Rodrygo was unable to score or assist in the 2024 Copa America with Brazil.
Meanwhile, six of his Real Madrid teammates made it to the award shortlist, including Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal. Former Los Blancos midfielder Toni Kroos, who announced his retirement from football earlier this year, also made it to the shortlist.
Vinicius Jr. is highly anticipated to win the coveted award this time after his exceptional season at the Bernabeu. Jude Bellingham is one of the top contenders, expected to land a podium finish at the least.
Neymar Jr. reacts to Real Madrid star Rodrygo missing out on Ballon d'Or shortlist
Brazil superstar Neymar Jr. responded to Rodrygo's exclusion from the Ballon d'Or shortlist via Instagram. The former Barcelona star wrote on his story:
"Minimum top 5 of the world ace."
In Neymar's prolonged absence from the Brazil national team due to his ACL injury, Rodrygo was handed the iconic No. 10 shirt for the 2024 Copa America. In June, Neymar also backed Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo to be among the top three for the prestigious award.
Speaking via BeIn Sport, Neymar predicted his top three for the 2024 edition of the coveted award:
"Vini Júnior, first; Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham next, tied, and obviously Mbappé enters the fight among those three."
Speaking further about Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr., the Al-Hilal star added:
"Obviously the Ballon d'Or is his, I hope so. I sent him a message before the final (Champions League, against Borussia Dortmund) and another afterward. He is surely going to win the Ballon d'Or, he is incredible and proudly wears the colors of our country around the world."
Meanwhile, Rodrygo has had a good start to the current season, recording one goal and one assist for Los Blancos in five appearances so far.