Rodri reveals why he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or

In a conversation with ESPN, Rodri, the star midfielder for Manchester City, stated that he really feels as a winner because of the supporters who call him a worthy candidate for the Ballon d'Or. Rodri has always dreamed of winning the coveted prize, saying it would be a source of great pride to win Spain's first Ballon d'Or in 64 years. 

According to Rodri, winning the title of one of the top players of the 2023–2024 campaign is a great honor in and of itself, giving him a sense of victory even before the prize is revealed. The Spanish midfielder had a fantastic season, playing a major role in both Manchester City's fourth consecutive Premier League title and his country's victory at Euro 2024.

The UEFA Euro 2024 winner said, "Yes, of course it would be a dream for me. There are a lot of people who say if Rodri is going to win it, how, for example, did [Andrés] Iniesta or Xavi not win it? In part, I agree. They were players who marked an era, some of the best in history, but it is also true that, at the of the end day, they were part of a generation that included [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo].”

The former Atletico Madrid winner said, "Just being in the conversation makes me very proud of the work I've put in...But imagine for me, to be in the conversation that the people when I walk into the street, they say to me, you going to win the Ballom d'Or, you deserve it, and for me, that means I am already a winner with this.”

When was the last time a Spanish player won the Ballon d'Or?

Since Luis Suárez in 1960, Spain has not had a winner of the Ballon d'Or for men. For more than ten years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won the prize, even if giants like Andrés Iniesta as well as Xavi came close. 

The Ballon d'Or competition is anticipated to be fierce this year, with Real Madrid forward Vincius Junior and Rodri emerging as the front-runners. Rodri praised Vincentius and acknowledged his extraordinary talent.