“I almost cried” – Rodri reveals emotional reaction to Ballon d’Or celebrations and Vinicius Jr banner | OneFootball

Rodri has shone light on his emotional reaction to Manchester City marking his Ballon d’Or success last Autumn, speaking during a new in-house club interview.

The Spanish midfielder has become synonymous with City’s dominance in recent seasons, anchoring Pep Guardiola’s midfield during title-winning campaigns and decisive moments such as the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.

Beyond his on-pitch excellence, Rodri has earned recognition on the world stage, with his Ballon d’Or triumph in 2024 cementing his place among football’s elite, with that victory celebrated in emphatic fashion by Manchester City and their supporters.

The pre-match celebration last campaign came during a season where Rodri’s fitness was at the centre of attention, having sustained an ACL injury to his knee that ruled him out of action for the majority of the 2024/25 calendar.

Rodri’s latest interview, amid some ongoing concerns over his ability to perform every three days at the very highest level, shifts the focus back onto the emotional high points of the midfielder’s career.

The Ballon d’Or was not only a personal milestone for the Spaniard, but a moment of collective pride shared across the club, one that stands in contrast to some of the muted acknowledgements other winners have received at their clubs.

Speaking during a new conversation with ManCity.com, Rodri has spoken of his surprise at winning the Ballon d’Or, and also his emotional reaction to the recognition from both City and the club’s support to the triumph over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.

“They didn’t tell me and I didn’t know until they opened the envelope – I didn’t know anything. If I’m honest, it wasn’t even a dream of mine as a kid, because I never expected to reach that level in this sense,” Rodri admitted.

“As I have said previously, when I was growing up I only ever saw two players lifting that trophy (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo), so it was so far from my thinking, and I never expected to win these kind of things,” he continued.

“People talk about how life can surprise you in so many ways, but for me, the most important thing is to come back and the collective wins, and try to win as many things as we can as a team. Individual trophies are always good, but we fight for the collective things as a team.”

Reflecting on Manchester City’s glossy Ballon d’Or celebration before the home clash against Tottenham last season, Rodri said, “I‘ve never seen a celebration like that from a player’s own fans and own club recognising a player in this way, because I’ve seen many Ballon d’Or winners not being recognised in that way.

“So for me, I almost cried because of how much appreciation there was for me and that they’d managed to find a way to say thank you for my efforts. It was one of the best moments of my life and I’m not going to forget that night, ever.”

Those celebrations were then further followed up by a banner from Manchester City supporters which read, ‘Stop crying your heart out’, aimed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and the Brazilian’s emotional outburst to losing out to the Spanish international for the prize.

“It was amazing. How many people had been working to make all that happen in the stadium? How many people were involved in all those things? To me, it means you are important to them, and they recognise you – these details for us, are unbelievable,” Rodri said of the banner.

Looking ahead, Rodri’s place at the heart of Manchester City’s midfield remains as vital as ever. Despite recent knee concerns that briefly caused alarm, his performances continue to embody Guardiola’s tactical philosophy, and he is expected to feature prominently this season.

Supporters will be reassured not only by his fitness but also by his emotional bond with the club, a connection that has been reinforced by moments like the Ballon d’Or tribute.

With Manchester City targeting further silverware this season and the Champions League campaign now underway, Rodri’s leadership and consistency could prove decisive.