In a statement reported by Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid said: ?If the award criteria doesn?t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to (Dani) Carvajal as the winner.

?As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d?Or does not respect Real Madrid. Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.?

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about Real Madrid’s boycott of the event and the former Barcelona boss said they were entitled to do what they want, although he would be unlikely to do the same.

Pep Guardiola and Rodri have been huge parts of Manchester City’s success (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It?s up to them,’ he said. ‘If they want to congratulate, that?s fine. If not, that?s fine as well. At Manchester City, we are not here to judge other clubs on what they decide they have to do.
?Last season for example, Erling [Haaland] won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals. I said to him “just being there, you have to be so happy”. I said the same to Rodri. If you are in the first two, three or four, it?s exceptional. Last season, Erling should win, yes. Should Messi have won" Yes. It doesn?t matter.

?You and your teammates have done something amazing. Should it be Vinicius" Maybe. It?s not an elite group, it?s journalists who vote.’

On Rodri’s success he said: ‘What can I say" First, to congratulate him and all his family and their friends, it?s incr...