Over the past three seasons, Manchester City and Real Madrid have had quite the rivalry on the pitch. The two teams have met in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League across the past three seasons. Real Madrid have eliminated City twice in the 21/22 season and last season. Pep Guardiola’s side emphatically dispatched Real Madrid in the 22/23 semi-final en route to claiming the treble. It has been a special rivalry on the pitch.
But last night may have seen a new chapter added to the rivalry between the two clubs. Rodri pipped Vinicius Junior to claim the Ballon d’Or. But Real Madrid’s reaction to Rodri winning may have given Manchester City extra motivation if they do face the current European champions this season. That may be an unintended consequence of Real Madrid’s reaction to Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or over Vinicius Junior.
From the moment Fabrizio Romano tweeted that no one from Real Madrid would attend last night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony it was clear that Rodri would claim the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph was well-earned and deserved. No one, bar anyone associated with Real Madrid, can dispute that fact. But dispute it Real Madrid have. The reaction of their players on social media shows how they’ve reacted to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory. Even the reaction of Vinicius Junior showed a blatant lack of respect for the winner of the Ballon d’Or. That’s where it wouldn’t surprise me if Real Madrid did hand Manchester City extra motivation if the two teams meet this season.
Real Madrid’s reaction to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win wasn’t aimed at Manchester City or Rodri but it could motivate the world champions.
It must be said that the reaction of Real Madrid to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win doesn’t appear to be aimed at Manchester City or Rodri directly. Real Madrid have their own agenda as to why they boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony last night. That’s for them to explain. But during the rivalry between the two clubs, the games have been decided by fine margins. Inadvertently the La Liga champions could have handed Manchester City an advantage to seize upon.
Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or does appear to be disrespectful to Rodri and his spectacular season that saw him win the award. That disrespect could play directly into Pep Guardiola’s hands if the two teams meet in the UEFA Champions League this season. When asked about his reaction to Real Madrid snubbing the Ballon d’Or ceremony last night Pep Guardiola would not be drawn into the discussion. He told media during his pre-game press conference ahead of his team’s Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham: “Nothing to say. They want to go, it’s fine, they don’t, it’s fine. They want to congratulate, it’s fine, they don’t, it’s fine. Absolutely, we are not here to judge what other clubs decide what they have to do…”
Behind closed doors, Real Madrid’s snubbing of the Ballon d’Or may one day be used by Manchester City as extra motivation if they do face Real Madrid this season. Pep Guardiola would never say it publicly if it would be. But I can’t help but think that Real Madrid has given Manchester City added motivation if the two teams clash this season. Time will reveal the answer to that scenario.
Summary
Real Madrid’s decision to snub the Ballon d’Or ceremony came across as childish and entitled. That much is clear. But the La Liga giants may have also given City added motivation if the two teams meet again this season. In their rivalry over the past three seasons both teams have pushed the other to great heights. But now there may be an extra layer added to rivalry. But if there isn’t an extra layer added to the rivalry between the two clubs Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero said it best. His comment on Real Madrid’s snubbing of the Ballon d’Or ceremony can be seen below.
Sergio Agüero has hit back at Real Madrid after the club decided against attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony 😅 pic.twitter.com/ULGCb6qi4c
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 29, 2024
