Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has crowned Manchester City’s Rodri as the Premier League’s ultimate midfield maestro, even ranking him above legends like Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.
Rodri’s recent Ballon d’Or victory, triumphing over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, is just the latest accolade for the Spanish star. His incredible year saw him lead City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and secure the Euro 2024 crown with Spain. Remarkably, Rodri lost just a single game last season—the FA Cup final to Manchester United.
Speaking to Sky Bet’s The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes praised Rodri’s undeniable impact: “Rodri fully deserves it for all he’s done. He’s only lost one game all year.” Scholes continued, “Rodri is a better footballer than Vinicius Jr. While Vinicius might win you more games with his skill, Rodri plays with a level of beauty that’s rare.”
Scholes compared Rodri to the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pep Guardiola himself, remarking on how he orchestrates the team’s entire play. When asked if Rodri is the best of all time in his position, Scholes didn’t hesitate: “Yes, though Roy [Keane] did everything as a midfield player. Rodri is a playmaker, setting up play from the back.”
Ultimately, Scholes believes that Rodri’s consistency and playmaking abilities set him apart. “There was a time Vinicius Jr wasn’t as effective,” Scholes observed, “but Rodri has always been a cornerstone for his team.”
