Manchester City midfielder Rodri has sent a “pay attention” warning to Vinicius Junior after pipping the Real Madrid star to Ballon d’Or recognition.

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Man City star walked away with Golden BallBlancos representatives refused to attendSpain international has offered words of adviceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Prior to the most prestigious of awards being handed, the expectation was that a Golden Ball would end up in the hands of a Brazilian forward. It then emerged that Rodri, with Premier League and Euro 2024 titles under his belt, would be recognised as the best player on the planet.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Real Madrid refused to send any representatives to the glitzy Ballon d’Or ceremony in disgust, as they reacted angrily to the most dramatic of snubs, but Rodri is revelling in his new standing at the top of the global game and has offered some words of advice to Vinicius when it comes to achieving a similar standing himself.

WHAT RODRI SAID

Spain international Rodri has told : “I think he's an intelligent guy and he'll realise over time that the more he pays attention to the pitch, the better he'll be. Like everyone, he has areas for improvement both on and off the pitch. He's young, I'm sure that people will give him good advice and even more so when he's at Madrid. It's a club with values.”

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Quizzed on whether he has received any contact from the Spanish capital on the back of his Golden Ball triumph, Rodri joked: “Did they call me from the club? No, obviously not. A message from Vinicius? Yes, yes, a FaceTime… not at all.”