Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi Reflects on Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or Defeat to Rodri
Barcelona center-back Pau Cubarsi has admitted that he was not surprised by Vinicius Junior's second-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d'Or race, where the award was ultimately claimed by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
The announcement that Vinicius did not win the prestigious individual award sparked controversy, particularly in Madrid, where many fans and players had anticipated the Real Madrid forward would take home the trophy. The decision led to a boycott of the ceremony by various Madrid figures, including players, who expressed their disappointment and showed solidarity with Vinicius on social media. Despite the public outcry, Cubarsi, who was also nominated for the Kopa Trophy, shared a more composed perspective.
In an interview with RAC1, Cubarsi explained that he was not shocked by Rodri’s victory, stating that the two players had been “very even” in terms of their performances over the past year. He emphasized that, in his view, Rodri had deserved to win, pointing to the midfielder’s instrumental role in Manchester City’s successful season, which included winning the treble, as a key factor in his success.
Cubarsi also addressed the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Several Real Madrid figures, including key players and club representatives, had chosen not to attend the event following Vinicius’ loss, a decision that was widely criticized by various figures in Spanish football. La Liga president Javier Tebas condemned the move, accusing Madrid of lacking the "gentlemanly conduct" that has long been associated with the club’s image. Tebas described the boycott as a "childish" act, criticizing Madrid for what he perceived as an attitude of superiority.
Cubarsi, however, expressed a more pragmatic view, asserting that players nominated for such prestigious awards should be present at the ceremony, regardless of whether they win or lose. He pointed out that being among the top 10 or top 20 players in the Ballon d'Or voting was already a significant achievement, citing his own experience as a nominee for the Kopa Trophy, which he did not win.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the results, Cubarsi underscored the importance of acknowledging the recognition given to players who reach such high levels, emphasizing the value of being part of the conversation surrounding the award. In his view, sportsmanship and respect for the occasion are essential, even when things don’t go as hoped.
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