On the pitch, Rodri always comes across as the ultimate team player.
Manchester City’s number 16 plays in a holding midfield position where plays tend to play one of the most understated, yet selfless roles on the pitch.
However, this seemingly unselfish attitude that the City midfielder possesses is perhaps the reason why he is one his club’s five skippers and Spain’s vice-captain.
While Rodri is often praised by fans and pundits alike for being an elite player, his sights seem to be set on ensuring that the collective always bears the fruits of their labour.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Rodri shares his honest thoughts on the Ballon d’Or
The 28-year-old finished fifth in the rankings for the Ballon d’Or after winning the treble in the 2022/2023 season and perhaps in the upcoming edition of the award, he could come out on top if Spain win Euro 2024.
Luis de la Fuente’s side will have hard tasks on their hands as a potential victory against France would set them up to face either one of England or the Netherlands in the final of the European Championship.
In an interview with The Guardian, Rodri was asked: “Alvaro Morata says you lack marketing, that you could have won the Ballon d’Or last year.”
The midfield maestro replied: “But I don’t play football for that. Maybe people would like me to be more marketable and he sometimes says: ‘Mate, you should…” but I understand football differently. I know how it works so I don’t get frustrated if [I get overlooked for the award]. If one day someone wants to reward the work, that’s welcome, but it doesn’t bother me at all”
Individual awards tend to discredit players like Rodri
As Rodri stated, when it comes to the Ballon d’Or and other individual prizes in football, he can get overlooked at times.
The Spaniard was not even nominated for the previous campaign’s Premier League Player of the Season award — despite being as brilliant, if not arguably even better than the eventual winner — Phil Foden.
Despite Rodri showcasing game after game that he is so much more than just a defensive midfielder, it seems like even a player like him who has elevated the position since his rise will also be brushed under the rug when the winners of such awards are decided.
Such awards tend to be handed to forwards — mainly goalscorers, with Fabian Cannavaro being the last defensive-minded player to win the Ballon d’Or in 2006.
The four-time Premier League winner’s indifference towards winning the Ballon d’Or or any such individual awards is a brilliant mindset to have as at the end of the day, football is a team sport.
