Manchester City star Rodri said it will be a “dream” to win the Ballon d’Or not just for him, but for Spain as well.
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Rodri winning Ballon d’Or a “dream”
Rodri, 28, had a spectacular campaign with his club and international team this season.
The midfielder helped City win its fourth straight Premier League title last season.
In addition, Rodri named as Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament after helping Spain capture the crown.
Rodri says that it would be a source pride for him and for Spain to win the Ballon d’Or.
The award will be announced on October 28 in Paris.
“Yes, of course it would be a dream for me,” Rodri said. “There are a lot of people who say if Rodri is going to win it, how, for example, did [Andrés] Iniesta or Xavi not win it?”
“In part, I agree. They were players who marked an era, some of the best in history, but it is also true that, at the of the end day, they were part of a generation that included [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo].”
“But it would be a source of pride for me and for my country to win it. Having a Spanish representative who is capable of winning the Ballon d’Or enriches everyone.
Ballon d’Or drought in Spain
The last Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or was former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luis Suárez in 1960.
Despite Spain’s back-to-back Euro titles in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010, no Spanish player has won the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri previously mentioned that it’s time for Spanish men’s player to win the prestigious individual award.
“We all know in Spain, because we just have one winner, that the last one was Luis Suarez many years ago. I didn’t watch him of course and don’t know much about him, but it’s a shock that maybe one of the best countries in history in terms of football doesn’t have more players that have won it.”
“But football is like this. There have been great players over the years, but I think Spain deserves one because we have some great players that make history with the clubs, history with the countries.”
“I am already a winner”
Rodri is the second favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, behind Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
Even if Rodri doesn’t win the award, simply being part of the conversation is already a victory for him.
“People say I’m going to fight with Vinicius, who is someone I admire,” Rodri said. “I think he is a great player.”
“Just being in the conversation makes me very proud of the work I’ve put in. It will depend a little bit on what people value [when they vote], what they believe, and honestly, there are a lot of players who deserve to win it, so we will see what the decision is.
“But imagine for me, to be in the conversation that the people when I walk into the street, they say to me, you going to win the Ballon d’Or, you deserve it.
“And for me, that means I am already a winner with this. The people that believe that I can be the best player in the world and telling me these kind of things, for me is incredible. I never dream about this.
“But once you are in this situation, this position, because a lot of years of work, a lot of trust on yourself and the help of all the people, you think about this award and being there is just unbelievable.”
