'I would vote..' Rodri reveals he would vote for Vinicius Junior's club teammate for the Ballon d'Or

Rodri, the winner of the Ballon d'Or 2024, expressed his thoughts on the voting process, stating that he would have chosen Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal over Vinicius Jr for the prestigious award.

Rodri to vote for Carvajal ahead of Vinicius Junior 

Despite Vinicius Jr being a strong favourite among many, Rodri, who plays for Manchester City, believes that Carvajal deserves recognition for his contributions.

"I’d vote Dani Carvajal 2nd at the Ballon d’Or… and Vinicius Jr as 3rd," Rodri said. "I won because of consistency, which is the most difficult thing in football. I was the most consistent player in the season," he added.

Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal both had a remarkable season with Real Madrid, securing two significant trophies. Vinicius demonstrated his talent, netting 24 goals and contributing 11 assists across 39 appearances. While he had a standout club season, his performance on the international stage was less successful as Brazil reached the quarter-finals of the Copa America 2024.

On the other hand, Carvajal showcased his versatility as well, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 41 appearances. He celebrated a major victory with Spain, winning Euro 2024, and achieved an impressive fourth place in the Ballon d'Or 2024 rankings. Vinicius earned a commendable second place in the standings, with Jude Bellingham following closely in third.

Manchester City's eyes Rodri's replacement

Manchester City has reportedly set its sights on Federico Valverde from Real Madrid as a potential replacement for Rodri. According to the report, City is eager to enhance its midfield options by targeting the talented Uruguayan during the upcoming January transfer window.

Valverde's versatility is particularly appealing to the Premier League champions, as they look to strengthen their squad. However, it is worth noting that Carlo Ancelotti's team has recently secured a new contract with Valverde, which may make it challenging to entice him away from the Santiago Bernabéu.