Gifted Markson
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has expressed his thoughts on the possibility of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
In an interview with ESPN’s Mark Ogden, Rodri shared his excitement and pride at being considered a contender for the top individual accolade in world football.
“It’d be a dream for me to win the Ballon d’Or, it’d be a source of pride,” Rodri said, acknowledging the immense honor that would come with being named the best player in the world. However, the Spanish international also noted the inevitable comparisons to past football legends.
“There are a lot of people who say: If Rodri is going to win it, how, for example, did Iniesta or Xavi not win it?” Rodri admitted, in reference to Spain’s iconic midfielders who dominated world football but never claimed the coveted prize.
“In part, I agree. They were players who marked an era, some of the best in history, but it’s also true that they were part of Leo Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo generation.”
Rodri believes that the Ballon d’Or would be not only a personal achievement but a moment of pride for his entire country.
“It’d be a source of pride for me and my country to win it. In the street, people say to me, you’re going to win the Ballon d’Or, you deserve it. For me, that means I’m already a winner!”
Despite the excitement surrounding his candidacy, Rodri remains humbled by the belief fans have in him.
“People believe I can be the best player in the world and telling me these things, it’s incredible… I’ve never dreamt about this, to be honest!”
The midfielder’s role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season has certainly caught the attention of football fans and pundits alike, and with his growing influence on the pitch, Rodri’s dream of lifting the Ballon d’Or might just become a reality.