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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rodri beats Vinicius Jr to Ballon d'Or</li><li>Winger told to "pay attention" to improve</li><li>Neymar hits back at Man City man</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Neymar hits back at 'talker' Man City star Rodri over 'pay attention' jibe at Vinicius Jr as Brazil star leaps to Real Madrid attacker's defence

<p>Rodri was named the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ballon-dor-2024-official-rankings/bltdfc0dfad7cda201f" target="_blank">2024 Ballon d'Or winner</a> last month, pipping Madrid's Vinicius Jr to the coveted accolade. After the 28-year-old sent a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-pay-attention-warning-vinicius-jr-real-madrid-ballon-d-or-facetime-joke/bltda59019a34278d34#cscd893ec9deea4b77" target="_blank">warning of sorts to the winger</a>, the Brazilian's compatriot Neymar has come to his aid with a dig at the Spaniard. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rodri said this week: “I think he's [Vinicius Jr] 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.”</p><p>Then, in an Instagram post, Al-Hilal's Neymar commented: "He [Rodri] became a talker now."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCp5PtCoSBm/" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT RODRI AND NEYMAR SAID

<p>There has seemingly been some <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-rodri-mocking-vinicius-jr-ballon-d-or-real-madrid-star/blt82ece52abb3f27cd" target="_blank">bad blood over this Ballon d'Or award</a>, which started with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-statement-ballon-dor-uefa-disrespect-vinicius-jr-rodri/blt6e99d5565362d1d2" target="_blank">Madrid boycotting the Paris ceremony</a> when they found out Vinicus wasn't going to win. And it seems these latest comments may just add fuel to the fire.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While City's Rodri continues his recovery from a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/crushing-blow-man-city-rodri-acl-injury-rest-of-season-over-arsenal-premier-league/blt98646a8967a2434c" target="_blank">season-ending knee injury</a>, Vinicius will be focusing on Madrid's La Liga trip to Leganes on Sunday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Neymar hits back at 'talker' Man City star Rodri over 'pay attention' jibe at Vinicius Jr as Brazil star leaps to Real Madrid attacker's defence | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Neymar has hit back at &quot;talker&quot; Rodri after the Manchester City star told Vinicius Junior to &quot;pay attention&quot; to become a better footballer.

Neymar hits back at &apos;talker&apos; Man City star Rodri over &apos;pay attention&apos; jibe at Vinicius Jr as Brazil star leaps to Real Madrid attacker&apos;s defence