Hugo Viana could be considered a hero by Manchester City fans for years if Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri usher the club into a new era that brings success.
In Cherki, Reijnders and Ait-Nouri, the Portuguese sporting director has brought in top-class quality, with all three players having the potential to become world-class under Pep Guardiola.
The Frenchman, in particular, could become a superstar at Manchester City as he is truly a special talent.
Thierry Henry called Cherki an “extraordinary player” and for the Arsenal legend to make such a claim goes to show how gifted he is.
The player himself fully believes in his talent, with Cherki targeting the Ballon d’Or and revealing that one of the reasons why he signed for City is because Rodri proved that players can win the award at the Etihad Stadium, saying: “When you see Rodri, he won the Ballon d’Or here, it’s clear that with City it’s possible and I am here for this.”
FBL-AWARD-BALLON D'OR-2024
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or could attract several players to Man City
The former Lyon wonderkid’s admission is proof that several players could well sign for Manchester City to replicate Rodri by winning the Ballon d’Or at Manchester City.
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Pedri admitted Rodri inspired him to believe in himself to win the award as well, as the midfield maestro has proven that one does not need to just put goals and assists on the board to be recognised as the world’s best player.
As a result, the English giants have a unique selling point in comparison to their domestic rivals in particular, as Rodri, who Manchester City signed for £62.5 million won the award as recently as in November.
While Liverpool and Manchester United can point to Michael Owen (2001) and Cristiano Ronaldo’s (2008) triumphs respectively, both players won the award in the 2000s.
RODRI WINS THE 2024 BALLON D'OR 🏆
He becomes the 3rd Premier League player after Michael Owen (2001) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2008) to win the award pic.twitter.com/igj2kkiWz6
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) October 28, 2024
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Hugo Viana’s pitch has been made easier by Rodri, whose win will go down in history as a potential culture shift for the Ballon d’Or, as a defensive-minded player won the accolade.
Cherki could be one of the many superstars who is swayed towards City due to the Spaniard’s historic win and if Pep Guardiola’s men return to the top, his teammates could become Ballon d’Or winners as well.
Rodri says Man City have another player who can win the Ballon d’Or
Guardiola’s focus and his team’s should be to triumph on a collective basis.
However, it is impossible to deny that players are not motivated by the prospect of winning one of the most prestigious awards the game has to offer.
Rodri reckons Erling Haaland could win the Ballon d’Or one day, with the Norwegian missing out on the accolade to Lionel Messi in 2022.
If Haaland does manage to do so, City’s status as a footballing powerhouse will hit another gear.