Rico Lewis feels that one of his Manchester City teammates deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
In the past, there seem to be various reasons why City’s players did not win the award.
Firstly, the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the last decade, where either one of them won the award from 2008 until 2017.
Thereafter, Messi won the Ballon d’Or three more times.
Secondly, the award seems to often be decided by which player shines in the Champions League-winning team; a competition the club finally won in 2023.
But due to Messi winning the 2022 World Cup, Erling Haaland finished in second place behind him in what could be argued was perhaps an unfortunate decision against the Norwegian’s favour.
Thirdly, only David Silva had won an international tournament in the form of Euro 2012 with Spain — a criteria that seemingly plays a key role in the recipient of the award.
But the midfield maestro’s lack of productivity in terms of goals and assists meant he was not one of the prime candidates to win the prestigious accolade.
In the forthcoming edition of the Ballon d’Or, it seems like Rodri and Vinicius Junior are the favourites to battle it out for the award.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Rico Lewis makes case for Rodri to win the Ballon d’Or
On one hand, the £62.5 million man played a key role in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and Spain winning Euro 2024 — meaning he will be in the reckoning to take home the accolade.
But the Real Madrid superstar was perhaps the standout player in his club’s Champions League-winning campaign while also emerging as one of their key performers to help them win La Liga.
However, Rico Lewis believes that Rodri should win the Ballon d’Or.
As quoted by Manchester Evening News journalist Joe Bray, Lewis said: “It’s just expected now for a player of his quality – what he’s achieved in recent years.”
“He’s getting more of the accolades he deserves now, more of the personal accolades. He’s a serial winner.”
“Personally, I think he should win it. For the past three or four years, he’s been so good. He’s been one of the best in the world for a while now. It’s difficult for a holding midfielder to win it but he showed with the goals, the assists, he does everything. There is no reason why he shouldn’t win it.”
Alvaro Morata revealed that he is willing to help Rodri become marketable to win the Ballon d’Or by creating an Instagram account for the man who does not use social media.
Luis de la Fuente also demanded that the Ballon d’Or is handed to the Spaniard.
A brilliant look for the Ballon d’Or itself if Rodri wins it
Much like when Luka Modric won the award in 2018, it would be a fantastic look for the Ballon d’Or if Rodri won it in 2024.
While recent recipients of the award such as Messi, Ronaldo and Benzema produced staggering goal and assist numbers, the game is not all about attacking contributions.
Holding midfielders like Rodri play incredibly important roles as well by helping their teams dictate games — an understated yet crucial quality that has led to Manchester City and Spain’s success.
In terms of how the Manchester City midfielder protects his side from opposition counter-attacks while also popping up with key goals and assists, he well and truly is the complete package.
Rodri impacts games in a way not many, if any player does in Europe and it would be excellent if a figure like him within the sport is honoured with an individual awards that are associated with the usual superstars up top.
