Manchester City midfielder, Rodri has expressed his admiration for Real Madrid players Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, stating he would have supported them in the race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
While Vinicius Junior was seen by most football enthusiasts as the most deserving winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or instead of the eventual winner, Rodri, the Spain international said if he had his way, he would have ranked Carvajal in second and Vinicius in third.
Note that Rodri, 28, won the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of second-placed Vinicius and third-placed Jude Bellingham. Rodri’s exceptional performances for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team, including leading City to a Premier League title and Spain to victory in Euro 2024, greatly contributed to his success at the award.
According to Rodri’s comments shared by @partidazocope, the Spanish midfielder said, “I’d vote Dani Carvajal 2nd at the Ballon d’Or… and Vinicius Jr as 3rd.”
Currently, Rodri is on the road to recovery from an injury. He suffered an ACL injury during a Premier League match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in September. Despite initial expectations of missing the entire season, Rodri remains optimistic about making a comeback.
“I believe I can return this season, yes. It’s possible, and I’m determined to make it happen,” he said. “I’m focused on my recovery without feeling pressured. It’s crucial to heal properly. The season is long, and with the new Clubs’ World Cup ahead, I feel I can contribute.”
In his absence, Manchester City are struggling to remain competitive. They have lost four games in all competitions and they are currently placed second in the Premier League, five points behind first-place Liverpool.