Ballon d’Or 2024: Rodri aiming to finish Spain’s 64-year look forward to winner
Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri says it “could be a dream” to turn out to be Spain’s first Ballon d’Or winner for 64 years.
The defensive midfielder is extensively regarded to be one of many favourites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after one other excellent season for membership and nation.
Rodri helped Man Metropolis retain their Premier League crown for a fourth consecutive season earlier than taking part in a starring function in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph – the 28-year-old was named Participant of the Match following his nation’s 2-1 win over England within the last.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place on the Theatre du Chatelet on October 28, and Rodri admits he’d take nice satisfaction in turning into Spain’s first winner of the award since Luis Suarez in 1960.
“Sure, after all it could be a dream for me,” Rodri informed ESPN. “There are lots of people who say if Rodri goes to win it, how, for instance, did [Andrés] Iniesta or Xavi not win it?
“Partly, I agree. They have been gamers who marked an period, a number of the finest in historical past, however it is usually true that, on the of the tip day, they have been a part of a technology that included [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo].
“However it could be a supply of satisfaction for me and for my nation to win it. Having a Spanish consultant who’s able to successful the Ballon d’Or enriches everybody.
“Everyone knows in Spain, as a result of we simply have one winner, that the final one was Luis Suarez a few years in the past. I did not watch him after all and do not know a lot about him, nevertheless it’s a shock that possibly among the best international locations in historical past when it comes to soccer does not have extra gamers which have received it.
“However soccer is like this. There have been nice gamers over time, however I believe Spain deserves one as a result of we have now some nice gamers that make historical past with the golf equipment, historical past with the international locations.”
Rodri admitted that even when he does not find yourself successful the award, he nonetheless considers himself to have succeeded as a result of there are individuals who consider he deserves it.
“However think about for me, to be within the dialog that the individuals after I stroll into the road, they are saying to me, you going to win the Ballon d’Or, you deserve it.
“And for me, meaning I’m already a winner with this. The folks that consider that I may be the very best participant on the planet and telling me these form of issues, for me is unimaginable. I by no means dream about this.
“However as soon as you might be on this state of affairs, this place, as a result of quite a lot of years of labor, quite a lot of belief on your self and the assistance of all of the individuals, you concentrate on this award and being there’s simply unbelievable.”
