Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has admitted that he was surprised to be left off the shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
In his five years at the Bernabeu, Rodrygo has developed into one of the best players in world football through establishing himself as a key part of the Los Blancos squad.
A total of 55 goals and 42 assists have been contributed from 221 appearances in all competitions, many of which came during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Brazil international chipped in with 17 goals and nine assists as Real regained the La Liga title and won yet another Champions League crown.
However, the 23-year-old was nowhere to be seen when the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d'Or was revealed last week.
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How has Rodrygo responded?
On the pitch, the versatile attacker has brushed off the disappointment, scoring the only goal of the game as Brazil defeated Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
Ahead of a fixture in Paraguay on Tuesday, Rodrygo has been asked on his feelings over being snubbed for the highly-acclaimed accolade.
Speaking to ESPN, Rodrygo said: "I was upset, I think I deserved it.
"I don't want to belittle the players who are there, I think they deserved it also. But I think I had a place in the 30."
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Which players were fortunate to be on Ballon d'Or shortlist?
Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were two players who can claim to be justified selections on the list.
A further four players from the Spanish giants would feature in Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde.
That said, players such as Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu and Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha were perhaps fortunate to be picked among the elite.
That is despite Calhanoglu contributing 13 goals and three assists during Inter's Serie A title triumph and Vitinha chipping in with seven goals and four assists from his 28 outings in Ligue 1.
Darren Plant
