Rodri put on notice about Ballon d'Or after Lionel Messi's win at Copa America (original) (raw)
Rodri has been one of the planet's stand out players, but one former Manchester United hero does not believe he will win the Ballon d'Or this year
Rodri has been told it's unlikely that he will win the Ballon d'Or
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown thinks Rodri's defensive position will stop him from winning the Ballon d'Or.
Rodri was instrumental in Manchester City's fourth consecutive Premier League triumph and Spain's glorious Euro 2024 campaign. His form has been so stellar that he has not tasted defeat in normal time since February 2023.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain's manager, has already tipped the midfield maestro to become the first Spaniard to win the prestigious individual accolade since Luis Suarez in 1960. He is expected to be competing with the likes of Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, young Spanish starlet Lamine Yamal and eight-time winner of the award Lionel Messi.
Despite his importance to both club and country, Brown thinks Rodri's position will hold him back in the race for the individual gong.
Speaking on Reach's Euro Thrash podcast - which you can find on YouTube, Apple and Spotify - Brown said: "Even when he came to City, he didn't get recognised straight away.
"It takes a while for people to go 'oh my god, he's not lost'. It is his position, his timing, his leadership behind the scenes, there are not many you can say have been better at what he does.
"The Ballon d'Or is different, though. It is a bit more for flair players, goalscorers. But he should be up there to be nominated."
According to Betfair, Vinicius is still 11/10 favourite, with Rodri at 11/8, Bellingham 5/1, Dani Carvajal 8/1, Yamal 11/1 and Messi 14/1
Messi's Copa America triumph means he may be in the running to win the Ballon d'Or (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the fact he is playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, Messi remains a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. He captained Argentina to this summer's Copa America and won his third major international honour in four years.
The Barcelona legend has also clinched the Ballon d'Or while playing at David Beckham's MLS franchise before, winning the award at the end of 2023, one year after he lifted the World Cup. Rodri did not go as far to say that he thinks he personally would deserve the honour. But he does believe the award should go to a Spanish player.
Brown was talking on Reach's Euro Thrash podcast (
Image:
Reach Euro Thrash Podcast)
After Spain overcame England in Berlin, Rodri said: "I'm going to be honest, I would like for a Spaniard to win it, I don't care who. It would be great. I've heard that [Real Madrid's Dani] Carvajal also deserves it. From an individual standpoint, I'm very proud of what I am doing and the recognition I'm getting. But someone else has to make that assessment. I came here to win Euro 2024."
The Ballon d'Or winners are selected by writers across the world and the coaches and captains of national squads under FIFA's jurisdiction.
Watch and listen to Euro Thrash on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify with regular new episodes throughout Euro 2024