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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has talked about potentially winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or and his admiration for Vinicius Jr., the main contender for the award alongside the Spaniard. The 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or was announced last week and Rodri and Vinicius are two of the favorites for the award.
The Brazilian forward had a stellar campaign last season, leading from the front as Real Madrid completed the La Liga and Champions League double. International glory, however, evaded Vinicius Jr. as Brazil succumbed to a quarter-final exit at the 2024 Copa America.
In an interview with ESPN, Rodri stated that he considers the Brazilian forward "a great player".
"People say I'm going to fight with Vinícius, who is someone I admire. I think he is a great player," Rodri said.
Rodri added that it is an honour to be named in the shortlist and said it is a matter of pride to talk to fans who tell him he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.
"Just being in the conversation makes me very proud of the work I've put in. 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," Rodri said.
"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," he added.
The 28-year-old also spoke about the hard work it takes to be considered among the favourites for the award. The winner of the Ballon d'Or will be announced in Paris on Monday, October 28.
"Spain deserves another Ballon d'Or winner" - Rodri
Rodri was one of the pivotal cogs in Pep Guardiola's Premier League winning side last season. His 2023/24 campaign came to a crowning end as he helped Spain win the 2024 Euros and was named the Best Player of the Tournament.
International and domestic success has made Rodri one of the favourites for the award. If he ends up winning it, he would become the first Spanish player to be given the Ballon d'Or since Barcelona midfielder Luis Suarez in 1960.
Rodri admitted that it would be a "dream" for him to win the Ballon d'Or.
"Yes, of course it would be a dream for me," the Manchester City star said. "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."
The duoply of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo prevented any other Spaniard from winning the award despite their all-conquering four-year run in international football. Spain won the 2008 and 2012 Euros while also winning the 2010 World Cup in between. However, neither Xavi nor Iniesta were able to beat the Messi-Ronaldo domination.
"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? 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 Messi and Cristiano," explained the 28-year-old midfielder.
