Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has revealed the player he believes is bound to claim the prestigious award at some point in their career.
France Football surprised the football community when news leaked that Rodri would win this year’s Ballon d’Or, surpassing the favorite, Vinicius Jr.
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Following the leak, Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid squad would boycott the ceremony in protest…Continue Reading
During the Paris event, Rodri was officially crowned the winner after an outstanding season, which included victories in the Premier League and Euro 2024.
Rodri, appearing on stage with crutches, expressed gratitude to everyone who voted for him.
“Good evening everybody, I have to thank many people. First of all France Football and UEFA for giving me this award,” he began.
“Thanks for being here again everyone, I want to thank those who voted for me. Today is a special day not just for me but for my family.”
Whilst on stage the Manchester City player also revealed one player he is ‘convinced’ will be the Ballon d’Or winner.
“Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or very soon, I’m convinced of it,” he claimed. “Keep it up, keep working hard, you’ll get there”.
Yamal had already made an appearance at the ceremony when it was announced he won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player of the year.
At just 17, he played a pivotal role alongside Rodri for Spain in Euro 2024 and has had an impressive start to the new season with Barcelona, who currently lead La Liga.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yamal conceded that he does have his eye on Rodri’s prize: “I hope to win a Ballon d’Or as soon as possible, yes”. “It’s something I have in mind. I’m going all out to get it!”.
Yamal finished 8th overall in this year’s standings.
Top 30 Ballon d’Or rankings in full:
29.Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)
29.Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
28.Alex Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
27.Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
26.Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
25.Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)
24.William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
23.Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
22.Antonio Rudiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
21.Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
20.Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey, Inter)
19.Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
18.Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
17.Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
16.Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)
15.Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
14.Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
13.Dani Olmo (Spain, RB Leipzig / Barcelona)
12.Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
11.Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
10.Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
9.Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
8.Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
7.Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
6.Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG / Real Madrid)
5.Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
4.Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
3.Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
2.Vinicius Jr (Brazil, Real Madrid)
1.Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
