Rodri is delighted to have been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, particularly as he believes defensive midfielders are often overlooked for individual accolades.
The former Atletico Madrid man has had another outstanding year for both club and country, winning the Premier League with Manchester City and the European Championship with Spain.
His consistent performances mean he is among the favourites to land the award next month having been listed among the 30 nominees.
Rodri said: “I’m very happy for everything that happened to me over the last year, winning what we have won [with City] and last summer at the Euros with my country, it’s just a dream.
“It’s the consequences of working hard, the consistency and never giving up. Individual awards are just a consequence of the work and I really feel right now as if people are really recognising my work and trying to push me to win [the Ballon d’Or].
“To be honest, though, it’s not something I think about. It would be a dream, of course, as I never thought that I could arrive to this moment but, on the other hand, once you arrive here you just want to let people say what they think and that’s it.”
RODRI 💬 I really feel right now that people are recognising my work and trying to push me to win it [the Ballon d’Or]. It’s not something I think about but it would be a dream of course. I never thought I would arrive at this moment. People say what they think. In my position, I… pic.twitter.com/zGltIKz93N
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 17, 2024
Messi and Ronaldo feats mean midfielders have been overlooked
Although the remarkable longevity of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo skews the numbers, only one midfielder – Luka Modric in 2018 – has won the award in the last 16 years.
“Yes, I know I play a different role than most players who are nominated for these trophies,” Rodri added, “but it also shows that football can be beautiful in different views.
“You can be beautiful playing as a midfielder, scoring goals or as a defender.
“We all know how football works, but I think there are lots of people who really appreciate the role of a midfielder, so let’s see what happens.”
Reports this morning suggested City were looking to offer Rodri a new contract but the player was not interested in discussing the issue.
He said: “I have nothing much to say. I have three more years at City. When I sign the contracts I don’t think of other teams, I just think of finishing. So yes, I have a contract with City and there is nothing else I can say.”
