Real Madrid star admits ‘I expected to finish a little higher’ in Ballon d’Or voting | OneFootball

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has this week spoken out over his final placing in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or gala, of course, took place late last month.

When all was said and done at the event, it was Manchester City star Rodri who took home the headline prize, rewarded for his efforts with the Sky Blues and Spain alike by way of the ‘Golden Ball’ trophy.

As much did not go down at all well at Real Madrid, where it had been assumed for months that Vinícius Jr. was all set to be named world football’s best.

Florentino Pérez and co, in fact, went as far as to boycott the ceremony in Paris entirely.

As alluded to above, though, Vinícius was not the only member of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad to have been left somewhat disappointed with his eventual finish in the Ballon d’Or standings.

Speaking in an interview with Universo Valdano on Movistar+ this week, Federico Valverde was drawn on his 17th-placed finish.

And the Uruguayan went on to admit:

“I expected to be a little higher, but it was a tremendous honour. I was very happy, although I expected to be a couple of positions higher. I don’t ask for much more.”

Conor Laird – GSFN