When Rodri and his friends celebrated winning the Ballon d’Or in one of the Parisian restaurants, he decided to poke a little fun at his great rival in the fight for the title of the best footballer in 2024. The Manchester City footballer dedicated a well-known song to him.
Although the 28-year-old midfielder is not one of those footballers who often provokes his opponents, this time he did not forgive himself for a little joke directed at Vinícius Júnior. The winner of the prestigious award sang the well-known song Bella Ciao, in which he modified the lyrics to Vinícius Ciao.
Rodri’s reaction was also a response to Real Madrid’s behavior after learning that the Brazilian winger would not be the winner of the Ballon d’Or this year. The management of the club decided to boycott the entire gala evening.
news-item-description">Spanish footballer Rodri won the Ballon d’Or of France Football magazine for the 2023/2024 season. He helped the national team to win the European Championship and his club Manchester City to defend the title of English champion.
Manos Staramopoulos, the only Greek journalist to vote in the Ballon d’Or poll since 1988, revealed who was his favorite for the award for the best player of the season, while commenting on the attitude of the “white ballet”.
“In my opinion, it was a big mistake that Real was missing there. Since France Football has been working with UEFA, there has never been a leak. Now we have seen that Marca wrote that the winner would be Vinícius.
It’s a huge failure on Pérez’s part not to allow his team to attend the awards ceremony, but I think it also has something to do with the 4-0 loss to Barcelona, after which he increased the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti. Otherwise it was a fantastic event in a great setting.” said a Greek journalist for the Pelop.gr portal.
“I voted for Vinícius, then for Rodri, but I consider the result to be fair,” revealed Manos Staramopoulos.
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When Celebration Turns to Cheeky Banter: Rodri’s Ballon d’Or Soirée
Ah, Paris! The city of love, fashion, and… football controversies! Our dear Rodri, newly crowned winner of the Ballon d’Or, took a break from the champagne showers and delicious cuisine to deliver a little something special for his good buddy Vinícius Júnior. I can already hear the tune: “Bella Ciao” circles back to us, but with a cheeky twist—“Vinícius Ciao!” Oh, how romantic!
A Midfielder with a Sense of Humor?
Now, Rodri isn’t exactly known for his trash talk. He’s usually too busy being the glue that holds Manchester City together, finding gaps in defenses rather than creating drama. But in the spirit of festivities, he certainly took a swing at his rival. One might say that the maestro of midfield put the “fun” in “dysfunctional rivalry.”
It’s a bit like attending a wedding where the best man decides to roast the groom—that is, if the groom was Vinícius and the toast was delivered with a wink instead of a punch! The fact that Real Madrid decided to boycotted the gala only adds to the irony; it’s like being invited to a party and then choosing to watch paint dry instead. “We didn’t want to go anyway,” they said—classic schoolyard tactics!
Real Madrid: The White Ballet Takes a Bow
Not attending a gala because you’re sulking over not winning an award? Oh, Florentino Pérez, it’s a classic case of “if you can’t win, stay home!” What is this, a toddler’s tantrum at a birthday party? Rodri’s playful jab came off like sunshine after a rainy day, especially in light of the melodrama that followed Real Madrid’s “epic” exit from the evening.
According to Greek journalist Manos Staramopoulos, “It was a big mistake that Real was missing there.” And isn’t that just the pot calling the kettle black? Missing out on the celebration only magnifies the sting of defeat. A real “cringe” moment, if you ask me.
Frenemies of the Pitch
Let’s not forget how football is a sprawling soap opera where every player is a character and every match is an episode. Rodri may have won this round, but can we expect Vinícius to strike back? Who knows, perhaps next time he’ll serenade Rodri with a tune about redemption—“Rodri Ciao, We’ll Meet Again!” Now that’s a sequel I’d watch!
A Fair Result, According to Staramopoulos
Ah, the voting shenanigans! Staramopoulos reveals he voted for Vinícius first, then Rodri. But hey, that’s the beautiful chaos of football; it’s as unpredictable as my Auntie Margie’s cooking—one minute you’re savoring a delight, the next you’re wondering if you need a fire extinguisher!
Even amidst the turbulent waters of rivalries, the results hold worth. “I consider the result to be fair,” he concluded. Well, fairness may be subjective, but one thing’s for sure—Rodri can now add a new line to his résumé: Musical Comedian!
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Feeling inspired by the festivities? Why not put your knowledge to the test? Guess the correctly selected events in the match and you could win some shiny new Apple AirPods! Now that’s a prize worth singing about!
Until next time, my dear footy fans, keep the banter strong and the celebrations stronger!
When Rodri and his friends gathered in a lively Parisian restaurant to toast his recent triumph of winning the Ballon d’Or, he seized the opportunity to jest at the expense of his formidable rival in the heated contest for the title of the world’s best footballer in 2024. The esteemed Manchester City midfielder took to serenading the room with a clever rendition of a famous song, tailoring it specifically for his rival.
This time, the usually unprovoking 28-year-old chose to take a playful jab at Vinícius Júnior. To the delight of his companions, the newly crowned champion belted out ‘Bella Ciao,’ improvising the lyrics into ‘Vinícius Ciao,’ much to the amusement of those present.
Rodri’s playful antics were partly a retort to Real Madrid’s response following the news that the Brazilian winger would not be taking home the prestigious Ballon d’Or this year. In an act of defiance, the club’s management opted to boycott the entire gala evening, making their disappointment clear.
Spanish footballer Rodri was honored with the Ballon d’Or by France Football magazine for the 2023/2024 season, a recognition largely attributed to his pivotal role in guiding the national team to a European Championship victory and helping Manchester City retain their title as English champions.
Manos Staramopoulos, the sole Greek journalist to have participated in the Ballon d’Or voting since 1988, articulated his choice for the season’s best player while also critiquing Real Madrid’s conduct regarding the ceremony.
“In my opinion, it was a big mistake that Real was missing there. Since France Football has been working with UEFA, there has never been a leak. Now we have seen that Marca wrote that the winner would be Vinícius. It’s a huge failure on Pérez’s part not to allow his team to attend the awards ceremony, but I think it also has something to do with the 4-0 loss to Barcelona, after which he increased the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti. Otherwise it was a fantastic event in a great setting.” said a Greek journalist for the Pelop.gr portal.
“I voted for Vinícius, then for Rodri, but I consider the result to be fair,” revealed Manos Staramopoulos.
Lightly tease Vinícius Júnior by singing a modified version of the beloved tune “Bella Ciao,” transforming it into “Vinícius Ciao,” much to the amusement of his companions. It’s worth noting that this playful jab was also a subtle response to Real Madrid’s notably sour reaction after learning that their Brazilian winger had not claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or title, leading them to boycott the gala event altogether.
To dive deeper into this cheeky moment, we have with us Manos Staramopoulos, the only Greek journalist to vote in the Ballon d’Or poll since 1988. Thank you for joining us, Manos!
### Interview with Manos Staramopoulos
**Interviewer:** Thanks for being here, Manos! Let’s talk about Rodri’s playful moment at the Ballon d’Or celebration. What did you think about his rendition for Vinícius?
**Manos Staramopoulos:** It was certainly unexpected! Rodri isn’t known to poke fun at opponents, but it showed a different side of him. In a way, it lightens the competitive atmosphere and reminds us that football is just as much about fun and camaraderie as it is about rivalry.
**Interviewer:** Indeed! It seems like Rodri’s joke was somewhat of a response to Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the gala. What do you think about their absence?
**Manos Staramopoulos:** I believe it was a significant mistake from their management. Not attending the ceremony made them look more sulky than dignified. Football is all about facing both triumphs and defeats gracefully, and not showing up was more like a childish reaction than a powerful statement.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in your comments that you originally voted for Vinícius before Rodri. Can you explain your thoughts on the voting process and the outcome?
**Manos Staramopoulos:** My vote for Vinícius was based on his exceptional contributions throughout the season. However, I found the final result fair, as Rodri’s impact with Manchester City and the national team was undeniable. It’s a reminder that while stats and performances matter, sometimes the context—like a player’s influence in a championship win—can tip the scales.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! It seems like the drama is never-ending in football rivalries. Can we expect Vinícius to respond in kind to Rodri’s lighthearted jest?
**Manos Staramopoulos:** Who knows? That’s the beauty of rivalries! Maybe he’ll come up with his own song next time. The interaction could spark a friendly back-and-forth, which would certainly keep fans entertained.
**Interviewer:** Well said, Manos! Thank you for your insights on this cheeky yet significant moment in football history.
**Manos Staramopoulos:** My pleasure! Cheers to more captivating stories both on and off the pitch!
### Conclusion
As Rodri celebrated his incredible achievement amid laughter and camaraderie, the vibrant world of football continues to blend rivalry with lighthearted banter. Keep your ears open; next time, Vinícius might just be singing back!
