Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024, but Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony.
The decision to award the prize for the world's best player to the midfielder came as a surprise, with Real Madrid's Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior widely seen as the favorite.
Hours before the ceremony in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony at Chatelet Theater because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius.
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