Why Rodri Faces an Uphill Battle for the Ballon d’Or Despite Being the Best Footballer in the World
Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, has enjoyed a season brimming with accolades. Dominating the midfield in his club’s treble-winning campaign and leading Spain to victory in Euro 2024, he has proven himself a key player. Remarkably, he hasn’t lost a match in regular time since February 2023. But why isn’t he a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or? According to former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, Rodri’s role as a defensive midfielder could be his downfall in the race for the prestigious award.
Brown praises Rodri’s exceptional qualities: his leadership, timing, and defensive skills are second to none. Nevertheless, the Ballon d’Or historically favors attacking players and goal scorers—the more glamorous aspects of football. Brown acknowledges that while Rodri merits a nomination, he doesn’t see the midfielder lifting the coveted trophy.
This doesn’t rule Rodri out completely. He currently stands at 11/8 odds, just behind Real Madrid’s electrifying forward Vinicius Jr. Even Lionel Messi, the ageless marvel, is still in contention at 14/1, thanks to his Copa America triumph with Argentina.
Rodri himself isn’t overly concerned with individual awards. He expressed a desire for a fellow Spaniard to win, highlighting teammate Dani Carvajal as a deserving candidate. His focus, he stated, was on winning Euro 2024, a mission he has already accomplished.
The race for the Ballon d’Or is always a fascinating one. Can Rodri, the midfield maestro, break the mold and become the first defensive player since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the award? Or will the spotlight once again favor the more glamorous attackers? The final decision lies in the hands of international journalists, coaches, and captains.
