Chelsea's Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez have both shown their support for Spain teammate Rodri amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his Ballon d'Or win on Monday.
Rodri scooped world football's most prestigious individual prize after a stellar season for both club and country, which saw him win the Premier League with Manchester City and the European Championships with Spain.
Monday's ceremony, however, was overshadowed by Real Madrid's decision to boycott.
Madrid and its players did not show for the awards after learning that forward Vinicius would not win the top prize.
The Brazilian, who was Madrid's top scorer last season as they won both LaLiga and the Champions League, finished second behind Rodri. His Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal finished third and fourth respectively.
In a statement, the Spanish giants said: "Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."
A number of Vinicius' Madrid and Brazil teammates have since hit out at the winger not beating Rodri to the Ballon d'Or, including Real midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
"My brother you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise," the Frenchman wrote in a post on X. "Love you my bro."
Fortunately for Rodri, he's also had plenty of people backing his corner, including Chelsea's current cohort of Spanish stars.
"Enhorabuena hermano, muy merecido," goalkeeper Sanchez wrote on Instagram alongside a snap of Rodri posing with the Ballon d'Or.
"Enhorabuena hermano, muy merecido" translates to "Congratulations brother, well deserved."
Cucurella shared the same sentiment, writing alongside a photo of him and Rodri playing together for Spain: "Enhorabuena Rodri, well deserved."
Carvajal calls Rodri
While Camavinga may believe Vinicius should have won the Ballon d'Or, his fellow Madrid star Carvajal thinks otherwise.
Speaking to Movistar Plus+ after collecting the Golden Ball, Rodri revealed that his compatriot Carvajal, who was also a key member of Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad, had called him after the ceremony to offer his congratulations.
"I received a call from Dani Carvajal who was very happy for me," said Rodri. "I wanted to remember him because I think he also deserved it. He has similar values to mine, of teamwork, of loving a club and of giving everything."
Carvajal, who, like Rodri, is currently sidelined with a serious injury, received a special mention during Rodri's Ballon d'Or acceptance speech.
"I'd like to thank the national team and Luis [de la Fuente] for trusting me for so long," said the 28-year-old. "My colleagues with whom I won the Euros – Carvajal, he should've been here with me. Lamine [Yamal], I know you'll win this award soon."
He added: "This is not just a victory for me, but for Spanish football. So many players who didn't win the award, but deserved it, this is a victory of Spanish football."
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