Rodri: The Orchestrator Denied Gold? Defensive Maestro Faces Uphill Battle for Ballon d’Or
Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield magician, is fresh off a trophy-laden season. He bossed the midfield for his club’s treble win and orchestrated Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. His dominance even earned him a “not lost a match in normal time since February 2023” badge of honor. So why the long face? Because according to former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, Rodri’s position as a defensive midfielder might prevent him from Ballon d’Or glory.
Brown acknowledges Rodri’s brilliance: his leadership, timing, and defensive mastery are unmatched. However, the Ballon d’Or historically favors attacking players and goal scorers – the flashier side of the game. While Brown believes Rodri deserves a nomination, he doesn’t see him lifting the coveted trophy.
This isn’t to say Rodri is out of the running. He currently sits at 11/8 odds, just behind Vinicius Jr., the dazzling Real Madrid forward. Even Lionel Messi, the ageless wonder, is a surprise contender at 14/1, fueled by his Copa America win with Argentina.
Rodri himself isn’t too hung up on individual accolades. He expressed his desire for a Spaniard to win the award, highlighting teammate Dani Carvajal as another deserving candidate. His focus, he says, was on winning Euro 2024, and that mission is accomplished.
The race for the Ballon d’Or is always intriguing, and this year is no different. Can Rodri, the midfield maestro, rewrite the rulebook and become the first defensive player since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the award? Or will the flashier attackers steal the show? Only time, and the votes of international journalists, coaches, and captains, will tell.
