Rodri is one of the many Spaniards to have made history during their spells in the Premier League.
At Manchester City, David Silva was another player who wrote his name into the history books as one of the league’s best-ever midfielders.
While the list of records Pep Guardiola has set during his time in England are virtually unparalleled — becoming the first manager to win four league titles in a row and manage a team to accruing 100 points in a season amongst several other historic feats.
The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres are some of the other Spaniards to have cemented their legacies as some of the best players in their respective positions to have ever graced English football.
However, Rodri has won the Ballon d’Or — a feat that may already have established his reputation as one of Spain’s greatest players of all time and sets him apart from his countrymen to have played in the Premier League.
Andres Iniesta hailed Rodri after his triumph — another legendary Spanish player who did not end up winning the prestigious award.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Mikel Arteta points to Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo absence leading to Rodri Ballon d’Or
Previously, the only players to have won the accolade while playing in England were Michael Owen and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2001 and 2008 respectively.
Rodri well and truly finds himself in esteemed company after matching Ronaldo’s 16-year standing accomplishment.
Mikel Arteta was initially full of praise for Rodri after he won the Ballon d’Or, while speaking to TNT Sports.
The Arsenal boss said: “It was great, so proud of it.”
“For many years we have [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi, [Iker] Casillas, a lot of players that probably should have won it in the past and this year, it was Rodri. I want the Arsenal ones [to win the Ballon d’Or] now.”
“The consistency and the level that he’s played in the last five, six years has been extraordinary.”
Mikel Arteta went on to claim that due to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no player playing in Europe, two players who dominated the Ballon d’Or, the door opened for Rodri to clinch the award.
“When you talk about the Ballon d’Or in the last 19 years, you have to talk about [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and after that, no one is ever going to be at that level.”
“But with those two in different countries and competing in different ways obviously has opened that door to somebody else.”
How Pep Guardiola reacted to Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or
It seems like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may no longer stand a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or due to playing for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr respectively.
The Manchester City maestro could well have become the first player since either of the two legendary figures last won the award.
Unless either Messi or Ronaldo win the award after the former’s triumph last year.
Pep Guardiola praised Rodri after he won the Ballon d’Or by congratulating him as well as his family and friends.
Guardiola said: “What can I say? First, of course, congratulate him and all his family and dear friends. This is incredible news for him and of course, for all of us, for all of Manchester City, for all of our fans.”
“We are so proud of him. I think this is the first time [a Manchester City player has won the Ballon d’Or]. We couldn’t have imagined years ago that one player received this prestigious award. We are so delighted to be a part of this, to share it with him.”
“Hopefully, it can give him this energy to recover well to be with us next season.”
Mikel Arteta’s observation will likely not concern Rodri as he is officially a Ballon d’Or winner and as the former City assistant manager claimed, his “consistency” since signing for the club has been “extraordinary.”
