Brazilian winger Rodrigo unexpectedly failed to make the 2024 Ballon d'Or shortlist after it was unveiled by France Football magazine, a result that sparked a candid and insightful reflection in his interview with ESPN. Rodrigo was outspoken about his frustration, arguing that he deserved to be in the running for the award on the back of a stellar season. "I'm frustrated that I feel like I should have been inducted," he said, "and that's not to say that the players that have been inducted don't deserve it, but I think I've shown enough over the past year to be among the elite 30."
Rodrigo showed maturity and reason in the face of this surprising result. He admitted that despite his surprise and disappointment, the announcement of the list was not something he could influence. "I was looking forward to being on the shortlist, but the reality was not like that," he continued, "Now, all I can do is to continue to focus on my soccer, work hard every day and prove my worth with real actions."
Rodrigo also revealed that he had made a slightly mocking post on social media to express his displeasure and disbelief after learning that he had lost out. The move not only surprised himself but also his Real Madrid teammates who expressed their disbelief when commenting on it. However, he emphasized that it was just a way of releasing his emotions and not directed at anyone or anything. "I made a post that was kind of in mockery and my teammates didn't understand it when they saw it," he explained, "but that's how I really felt at the time and I needed an outlet for my emotions."
Despite this setback, Rodrigo showed great professionalism and team spirit. He said he received numerous messages of comfort from his national team and Real Madrid teammates, which made him feel the strength and warmth of the team. "Everyone, both in the national team and at Real Madrid, gave me great support and encouragement," he said gratefully, "which made me realize that even though I personally failed to make the Ballon d'Or shortlist, I'm still an integral part of the family. "
Finally, Rodrigo ended the interview with a positive forward-looking attitude. He said that although he felt regret and anger at not making the Ballon d'Or shortlist, the most important thing now is to move forward. "There's not much left to say now," he concluded, "Everyone knows my anger, it's everyone's anger. But we must learn to let go of the past and focus on the future. I will continue to train hard and try to contribute more to the team in the coming games."
