Rodri Ballon d'Or fiasco takes fresh twist as Real Madrid transfer plan revealed

Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid were reportedly left furious by the fact Rodri was awarded the Ballon d'Or earlier this week, yet it's also been claimed the Spanish giants intend to sign the Manchester City midfielder.

Rodri made history on Monday night by becoming the first City player to pick up the prestigious accolade - given to the best footballer of the year as voted for by journalists. Even as a defensive midfielder - maybe not the most the glamorous position in the sport - the mere fact he went 74 matches unbeaten for club and country aside from penalties between March 2023 and May 2024 speaks volumes of his importance to Pep Guardiola's side.

With attackers normally favoured for these sorts of prizes, Real's Vinicius - who scored 24 goals and also made 11 assists last term, believed the award was in his pocket - long before the glitzy ceremony took place. When he and his club found out this was not the case, they boycotted Monday's event in Paris.

ALSO READ: City injury list in full amid Guardiola selection woes

ALSO READ: Why Haaland didn't play for City against Tottenham

This was even at the expense of manager Carlo Ancelotti - who was named manager of the year - and even Real Madrid as a whole were handed the club of the year prize, yet weren't there to collect it as they stood alongside their 'snubbed' player. The rage hasn't stopped flowing, either, as some big names connected to the Spanish team - both past and present - have continued to speak out.

The latest twist comes in the form of a huge transfer claim from Relevo, who report that Rodri is actually on their radar in a series of events that could lead to the 28-year-old sharing a dressing room with the Vinicius, potentially.

They write that Aurelien Tchouameni, who was signed from AS Monaco two years ago for £67million, is beginning to test the patience of the club's superiors as he fails to 'take control' of the midfield - as he was expected to once Casemiro and Toni Kroos departed. Whereas a few months ago he was deemed 'non-transferable', that could soon change with Rodri, seemingly, an option.

Importantly, it's suggested that his current ACL injury, which is expected to rule him out for the remainder of the current season, will not impact their plan. They would only move for the City lynchpin next summer, when he has one year left of his contract in England, or once that contract expires in 2026.

Rodri's national teammate and Real captain Dani Carvajal was recently quoted admitting: "I tell Rodri every day to sign for Madrid, that we need him."