Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has expressed his desire to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, calling it a “dream” and a “source of pride” for both himself and his country.
Rodri is among the leading contenders to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or along with Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham
Speaking in an interview with Mark Ogden for ESPN, the player reflected on the honor of being considered among the world’s best footballers.
“There are a lot of people who say: ‘If Rodri is going to win it, how did Iniesta or Xavi not win it?’,” the 27-year-old remarked, acknowledging the comparisons to Spanish football legends.
He agreed with the sentiment, noting, “They were players who marked an era, some of the best in history, but it’s also true that they were part of the Messi and Ronaldo generation.”
Despite the shadow of these iconic figures, Rodri remains optimistic about his prospects, revealing that the support from fans has been overwhelming.
“In the street, people say to me, ‘You’re going to win the Ballon d’Or, you deserve it,’” he said. “For me, that means I’m already a winner.”
Rodri added that the admiration he receives from fans is surreal, admitting that he had never imagined himself in the race for the Ballon d’Or.
“People believe I can be the best player in the world, and telling me these things is incredible. I’ve never dreamt about this, to be honest!”
The Spaniard, who played a key role in City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, has not faced a full match defeat since March 2023.