Juicy answers for the “Golden Ball” and the debate whether he or the Vinicius gave by Rodri.
In the first interview after winning the award and being asked about it how he would vote himselfthe Spaniard emphasized that he would choose him second Carvajal and third the Brazilian.
After clarifying that the respects and he had no intention of insulting him with the famous “Vinicius ciao,” he noted that he didn’t mind the absence of Real from the gala and that he himself would go even if he didn’t win the trophy.
What Rhodri said in detail on the “COPE” radio station
On how he would vote for the Golden Ball: “I would vote second for Carvajal and third for Vinicius”.
For the Golden Ball: “I don’t carry her everywhere because she’s a bit heavy, but I sleep with her. My mother wants us to put her in the entrance of the house. My whole family came to see the award. It is a huge joy for everyone. Luis Enrique had said, ”do you think a World Cup can change your life?”… Winning the Ballon d’Or changes something inside you. It doesn’t change how you think, but it changes what others see in you.
I was thrilled that Iniesta sent me. I thought, “What can I say to him?” It made me feel a little weird because he should also have a Ballon d’Or in his palmares. For me he is the greatest of all time. Many players were happy for me anyway. I had not prepared any speech. Two days before the gala they told me to “prepare for whatever happens”. Then I thought, what if I win? I haven’t prepared anything. The agent told me not to prepare anything, to do it naturally. It could have gone wrong, but it turned out well.
My mindset was to go to the gala even if I didn’t win. Rumors were circulating on my side, but without any certainty. We didn’t believe anything and said we would go. I was hoping, while I was on crutches, that someone would say something to me because I was impressed. It was a strange day, from start to finish. I was skeptical because while I was waiting half the room was shouting Vinicius’ name. I felt great respect from the audience, they applauded me.”
For Real’s absence: “I didn’t mind at all that it wasn’t Real. Since I won, I just wanted to experience it with my family. I didn’t think about the people who didn’t come and didn’t want to enjoy the gala. It’s best if everyone attends, the place is full of stars and that would be great, but it’s not something I’m concerned about. All the Spanish teams should have congratulated me, they didn’t. I only care about my family and my club. They will have their reasons. I wouldn’t do it that way and we don’t need to dig it up. It is a mistake to pay so much attention to the group that refused to attend. Among the Real players, I was congratulated by Nacho, Joselu, that is, those who were with me in a team in the past”.
On the reasons he won the award: “I think I won it because of my consistency, which is probably the hardest thing in football. I was the most consistent player. Maybe not the player with the highest ceiling, but I was solid. I didn’t think I could repeat a season like the one in 2022/23 in which I won the European with my team and was instrumental in that. But in the end I was at the same or even higher level last year”.
For “Vinicius ciao”: “People need to understand that it’s a healthy sporting effort, it was a private party. If we all put cameras in our homes… I didn’t mean to offend anyone, it’s just another rivalry. I respect Vinicius”.
On his return to action: “I feel that I will be able to return to action during the season. It is possible and I can make it happen. At the moment I am in recovery mode, there is no pressure. I saw Militao’s injury and felt very bad. You sympathize with him in his difficult time. He went through the whole process once already and now he has to start all over again. I wish him the best, I hope he is strong and his people support him. It is clear that when such injuries increase it is a question of the program. The number of games has a big effect, you don’t have to be a doctor to tell that. There have been a lot of such accidental injuries lately and it stands to reason that some players are more prone than others. When I get back into action I don’t want to worry about that again.”
For the top player and his toughest opponent: “Messi is the best. But not now. Right now the most decisive player in terms of numbers is Haaland. He is the only one who can come close to Messi-Cristiano. Off the pitch, however, Haaland is a very calm and funny guy. My toughest opponent was Messi, now it’s Salah, especially when he plays at Anfield he’s unstoppable.”
For Pep Guardiola: “The advice Busquets gave me about Guardiola is not to talk to him on certain days. Guardiola’s biggest weakness is that he puts his own style on everything. Simeone’s? That it doesn’t clog it! I’d rather be a sports director than a coach, I like life more and the… face of Chiki Begiristain.”
Source: Sport Fm
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