"Shares the same values as me" - Rodri sheds light on phone call he received from Real Madrid star after winning Ballon d'Or

Rodri has said that Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal was the first person to phone him after he won the Ballon d'Or. The Manchester City superstar claimed the prestigious award on Monday (October 28), but not without controversy.

Los Blancos weren't present at the awards gala in Paris because they felt it was an injustice Vinicius Junior hadn't won the award. The Brazilian attacker finished second on the podium, behind the Spanish midfielder.

Carvajal came fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings after winning Euro 2024 alongside Rodri with Spain. He also captained Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League, La Liga title and Supercopa de Espana last season.

Rodri spoke about the Spanish duo's phone call after the awards ceremony. He said (via Marca):

"I talked to Carva, the first call I received when I left the awards was from him. He deserved it too! He's a player with whom I'm very close, even more so now with the injury, he shares the same values as me, he congratulated me."

The 28-year-old was instrumental for City last season, helping Pep Guardiola's team win their fourth consecutive Premier League title. He appeared 50 times across competitions, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists.

The former Atletico Madrid man holds a close friendship with Carvajal. The veteran right-back was in a difficult position, given the two Ballon d'Or contenders were his club and international teammates.

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"We need you" - Dani Carvajal wanted Ballon d'Or winner Rodri at Real Madrid

Dani Carvajal spoke glowinly of Rodri (Image - Getty)

Carvajal fuelled talk of Real Madrid pursuing Rodri in the summer. He suggested that he continuously urges his compatriot to join the La Liga giants. He said (via beIN SPORTS):

"Without a doubt, I tell him this every day. [I tell him] to leave Manchester, that there is no sun, 'you are from Madrid and we need you'. But he drags it out. He would fit in perfectly."

Those comments were met with speculation that Rodri could make the move to the Santiago Bernabeu. He has been at the Etihad since July 2019, arriving from Atleti and becoming one of the Premier League's greatest defensive midfielders.

Rodri downplayed talk of a move to Madrid after Carvajal's comments. He alluded to his contract (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):

"I have three more years at Man City and when I sign the contract I don’t think of other teams. So I have three more years at Man City, and nothing more to say."

Real Madrid aren't under pressure to find a holding midfielder as they have Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga as options. That said, Carvajal's praise of Rodri speaks volumes of Los Blancos' captain's view of the Ballon d'Or winner.