What’s the beef between Rodri and Vinicius? Ballon d’Or saga, Real Madrid rumours and the truth behind the rivalry

Rumours surrounding Rodri’s future have intensified in recent weeks, with Real Madrid emerging as one of the clubs interested in signing the Manchester City midfielder. At the same time, reports in Spain have claimed Vinicius Junior’s long-awaited contract extension with Los Blancos was influenced by the possibility of Rodri arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu. While those claims remain unconfirmed, they have reignited questions over one of football’s most talked-about rivalries: is there really bad blood between Rodri and Vinicius?

The speculation stems from the controversial 2024 Ballon d’Or, when Rodri was crowned the world’s best player ahead of Vinicius after helping Manchester City to another Premier League title and playing a pivotal role in Spain’s European Championship triumph.

Many believed the Real Madrid winger was the favourite for the award after a sensational campaign in which he inspired Los Blancos to both the Champions League and La Liga titles. The result sparked fierce debate, with Madrid’s delegation boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning Vinicius would not win the prize.

That controversy quickly fuelled talk of a personal rivalry between the two players, but Rodri has now dismissed those suggestions.

Speaking to Radioestadio Noche on Onda Cero, the Spain international insisted the supposed feud had been created by outsiders rather than the players themselves.

“They tried to put Vinicius and me against each other for no reason. I have huge respect for him and for everything he did that year.”

Rodri also stressed that neither player decides the Ballon d’Or winner.

“In the end, it’s other people who decide who wins the Ballon d’Or.”

The Manchester City midfielder admitted he never expected to lift football’s most prestigious individual prize, revealing he arrived at the ceremony without preparing a speech because he genuinely believed someone else would be named the winner.

“I didn’t prepare anything because I didn’t know I was going to win.”

Reflecting on the moment his name was announced, Rodri said the achievement brought back memories of his entire football journey.

“In that moment you remember many important moments in your life as a footballer.”

Away from the Ballon d’Or debate, Rodri also described himself as an “atypical footballer” in the modern game, revealing he avoids social media and has no tattoos despite becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars.

“A lot of things change when you win the Ballon d’Or, but I try not to let it change me. I’m an atypical footballer: I don’t have social media and I don’t have tattoos.”

With Real Madrid and Barcelona both reportedly monitoring Rodri’s contract situation at Manchester City, speculation linking him with a return to Spain is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. But if there is one rumour Rodri is keen to put to bed, it is the suggestion that he and Vinicius are enemies.

For now, the Spaniard insists there is no feud—only respect between two players whose careers became intertwined by one of the most controversial Ballon d’Or votes in recent history.