Real Madrid talisman receives praise from Ballon d’Or rival – ‘He is a great player’ | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has openly expressed his admiration for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr., his main rival for the Ballon d’Or this year. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the award, stating,

“People say that I will compete with Vinícius, who I admire a lot. He is a great player. Being in this conversation already makes me proud for all the work I have done,” said Rodri as quoted by AS.

“In the end, it will depend on what people value when voting, but there are many players who deserve it. We will see what happens,” he added.

Currently, Rodri – who is linked with Real Madrid – stands as a significant contender against Vinicius for the Ballon d’Or. This marks Rodri’s second consecutive year as a key competitor for the prestigious accolade.

Ballon d’Or would be a dream for Rodri

At 28, Rodri has been instrumental in Manchester City’s recent successes, including their achievement of a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.

Rodri has praised his Ballon d’Or competitor Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

His performance at Euro 2024 was particularly notable, where he was named Player of the Tournament. His role was crucial in leading Spain to victory, especially given the youthful nature of the team he managed so effectively.

Rodri also shared his thoughts on winning the Ballon d’Or, describing it as a dream. He reflected on the challenge of winning the award when legendary players like Iniesta and Xavi did not.

“It would be a dream for me. A lot of people wonder how I could win it if players like Iniesta or Xavi did not win.

“They marked an era, where they were some of the best players in history, but they were competing in an era dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Still, it would be a huge source of pride for me and for Spain. To have a Spanish representative win the Ballon d’Or would be a great recognition for everyone,” noted the City midfielder.

In summary, Rodri’s performance and achievements put him in strong contention for the Ballon d’Or, highlighting both his personal success and his impact on Spanish football. However, Vinicius Jr. continues to lead the charge.