Manchester City star Rodri has reportedly been named as this year’s Ballon d’Or winner after a series of reports and leaks online.
The Spanish midfield maestro who has been integral to Man City’s success ever since he joined back in 2019 – especially in their Treble-winning year as he scored the only goal in the Champions League final to seal the magnificent feat – was named among the frontrunners for the coveted sporting award.
With that in mind, when it was reported that not a single member of Real Madrid’s team would be travelling to the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday (that includes Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, by the way) subsequent rumours that Rodri name is already on the trophy followed.
Multiple so-called ‘leaks’ like this have been circulating on social media and while this doesn’t necessarily confirm anything, it was the follow-up coverage by reliable football reporter Fabrizio Romano that has added extra fuel to the fire.
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The Italian transfer expert and breaking football news specialist first backed up fellow journalist Fabrice Hawkins’ claim that Vini Jr would not be attending the awards in Paris tonight, before adding that neither would a single representative from Madrid.
When not a single member of Los Blancos is turning up whatsoever, you know there’s something amiss…
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Meanwhile, the 28-year-old defensive midfielder – who also still contributed nine goals and 14 assists across all competitions – has already been filmed arriving in the French capital for the 68th edition of the annual event.
City themselves also posted what admittedly does feel like a not-so-subtly timed compilation of the number 16’s best bits from his standout 2023/24 campaign.
Once again, much of this still remains largely conjecture but if the talents playing for the La Liga giants truly aren’t attending the event itself, you would assume it’s because they know they’re not winning and if they’re ruled out then that would mean Rodri is one of a very small few contenders left at the top of list.
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Rodri is currently out for the rest of the season, having suffered a serious injury during Euro 2024 after leading his country to the final when they beat England this past summer, with the worst ultimately being confirmed after a short-lived comeback against Arsenal last month.
That being said, his absence from Pep Guardiola’s squad is noticeable and his impact when he is available cannot be overstated.
City very rarely lose when Rodri is in the starting lineup and when you’re talking about a player who has won more trophies (8) than he has lost games for club and country since 2023 (4), it’s not hard to see why he’s tipped as favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or. The ceremony takes place at 7:45pm tonight.
Meanwhile, the mood is ironically rather blue over in the red half of Manchester as United manager Erik ten Hag‘s time at Old Trafford has come to an end after two and a half years.
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
28th October 2024 
