Bernardo Silva, Manchester City’s No. 20, teased in a behind-the-scenes video from the Ballon d’Or presentation in Paris about his fellow countryman and colleague, Ruben Dias, finishing 30th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.
The banter on the team bus saw Silva jokingly empathizing with Dias, stating, “I’m here with the 30th of the Ballon d’Or, Ruben Dias, my mate. I can feel his pain. I’m here sharing the pain with him.”
Ruben Dias, a £65 million Manchester City defender, was ranked 30th in the Ballon d’Or standings, with Bernardo Silva ranking ninth.
Dias had a great season, making 43 appearances across all competitions to help Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. Many people were surprised by his rating, given his exceptional defensive abilities and crucial part in his team’s historic treble.
Silva’s funny view on Dias’ position sheds light on what some fans feel an unjust decision, as the 26-year-old Portuguese defender deserved to be ranked higher. The rankings also sparked arguments concerning the methods used to select the Ballon d’Or outcomes, with other players being placed ahead of Dias.
Regardless of the ranking, Dias may be proud of his outstanding contributions to Manchester City’s outstanding season.
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