Rodrygo 'upset' by Ballon d'Or shortlist omission

Real Madrid guardant Rodrygo says he is disappointed he did not make nan 30-man shortlist for nan 2024 Ballon d'Or.

The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and registered 9 assists successful 51 appearances for nan Spanish nine past season.

But nan Brazil world grounded to unafraid a information for nan prestigious award, dissimilar his Madrid team-mates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

"I was upset, I deliberation I deserved it," Rodrygo told ESPN. , external

"I don't want to belittle nan players who are there, I deliberation they deserved it also. But I deliberation I had a spot successful nan 30."

The nominees are selected by France Football's editorial squad successful collaboration pinch nan Ballon d'Or ambassador - erstwhile Chelsea and Ivory Coast guardant Didier Drogba - and selected members of nan media.

The victor will beryllium announced astatine a ceremonial successful Paris connected 28 October.

Rodrygo was portion of nan Real Madrid broadside that won nan La Liga and Champions League titles past season.

Along pinch England midfielder Bellingham and chap Brazil guardant Vinicius, Real's Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and nan now-retired Toni Kroos were each nominated.

France striker Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real from Paris St-Germain successful nan summertime erstwhile his statement pinch nan French nine expired, besides made nan shortlist.

Rodrygo cited his versatility crossed different positions for some nine and state arsenic a imaginable logic for nan snub.

"Often, I'm conscionable filling spaces," he said. "Is personification missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is personification missing connected nan right? Rodrygo. Is personification missing arsenic number nine? Rodrygo. That's it.

"It whitethorn get successful my measurement a little, but I'm a squad player."