Congratulations to Manchester City's Rodri who won the Ballon d'Or for this year. He is a worthy winner of the competition after guiding City to a historic fourth league title in a row in England, something which has never previously happened and being instrumental in Spain winning the Euro's. However a great club and indeed FIFA's club of the 20th century Real Madrid overshadowed the event in Paris. They had information that Vinicus Jr, one of their players and the pre favourite to win the award was now not going to and would come as a runner up. The club officially pulled out of attending the awards and took their major players with them which included England's Jude Bellingham who finished in 3rd place. This feels like a lack of respect from one of the greatest and respected teams in world football. But there is something even more murkier in the waters and you would believe that this must be investigated. The Ballon d'Or is a betting market and Vinicus had been the odds on favourite for some time, Rodri was around the 5.00 mark until Madrid got wind that Rodri would actually win it. But this has to lead to betting suspicions and given that votes are generated by journalists around the world in a points format, if this information got out to Real Madrid then why not some journalists who would then have had the chance to bet on the market? With the result known before the event shouldn't punters that backed Vinicus now be refunded?
As for the actual event itself it was a near four hour slog and that was just for us watching at home. Think of the array of football players that had to attend. Harry Kane for example did get an award for the golden boot but he sat in the first row looking pretty bored knowing that he had zero chance to win the big prize. You had to ask yourself where was the suspense like at the Oscars? FIFA confirmed what we already knew that they are not in touch with any of the players by playing elevator classical music during snippets and the ceremony. The players' faces were as cold as ice. But if these awards are to take place then at least make it worthwhile and unpredictable. Rodri sat there in obvious pain with his crutches and had to be patient knowing his time would come. Had Rodri known in advance that he would not win then like Real Madrid presumably he would have stayed in Manchester. At least he would have had a better excuse with his injury. The award needs to move forward because it had all the wet and damp moisture afforded to the die hard football fans who waited outside and largely were ignored. French fans waiting for a glimpse of Kylian Mbappe who of course being a Real Madrid player had to boycott the event too. One has to wonder if a Premier League team did the same thing if FIFA would be sanctioning them right now for not doing the right thing and being present at the gala of the year?
Although Manchester City are the new league leaders there will be concern at the club that key injuries are mounting up. New world player of the year Rodri will probably miss the rest of the season. However his talisman in midfield Kevin De Bruyne is struggling with an injury that was thought to initially only keep him out of the squad for a couple of weeks. Manager Pep Guardiola has said that De Bruyne's return has been delayed and can't put a new date on his return, and when he does so he will surely come back rusty. There have also been rumours that the Belgian may be playing his final season at the club as he seeks a move to either the Saudi League or the MLS ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Jack Grealish, Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku are all missing too and history says that when you have too many key players missing being able to retain the title is incredibly difficult. The blow to Rodri has been dealt with by the club in esteemed fashion but at the same time one wonders how stressful and panic driven the powers that be were acting behind the scenes at the news. And how will City deal with an Erling Haaland injury, so there is much to ponder for a club who are chasing a 5th league title in a row.
Keeping with Manchester City and their dominance it is only human nature that we seek change and some diversity. As good as City have been, even young kids who seem to support players in some cases over clubs want change in the Premier League. Who apart from City fans want to see them win the league again? Does it not make the Premier League boring and predictable? In recent times we have seen teams dominate the German, Spanish, Italian and of course French leagues, where PSG have made that league their own. As for Ballon D'Or even some of the most hardcore Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fans wanted to see a different name on the trophy after a near two decade domination by the twosome. But here's the thing- unlike the other European leagues it is hard to find a recent season when City have cantered off into the distance and won the league by March. At least in the Premier League there are a couple of more teams that can make it so City have to take it down to the final weeks and sometimes final weekend of the season to be crowned champions and that has to count for something. So while history has City winning 4 league titles in a row and it may look the same old song and dance in black and white, in reality the club have had to fight for everything, in every game, in every minute and that is what makes the Premier League the best league in the world and what still makes this season unpredictable.
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