Rodri made history last season as he became the first player in Manchester City’s history to win the Ballon d’Or while at the club.
Of course, City have had Ballon d’Or winners on their books before. Dennis Law won the Ballon d’Or before he came to City, George Weah won the Golden Ball during his time at AC Milan, while Kevin Keegan was a Ballon d’Or winner in his playing days before becoming the City manager.
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or last year, much to the chagrin of Real Madrid and their fans, but it’s hard to say he didn’t deserve it.
Indeed, Rodri was incredible for club and country in 2024, and he’s a worthy holder of the game’s most prestigious individual honour.
City had 11 nominees at last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony across a number of awards, and Rodri believes that another of his teammates could eventually scoop the top honour.
Speaking to JD Sports, Rodri has now tipped another City player to eventually match this feat and win the Ballon d’Or.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Rodri says Erling Haaland could win the Ballon d’Or
The midfielder was asked which of his teammates he believes can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Phil Foden has been tipped as a Ballon d’Or winner in the future, but according to Rodri, Erling Haaland is the City player who stands the most chance of winning the coveted award.
Haaland has been criticised at times this season as he’s struggled to find his top form, but he remains one of the best strikers in world football.
Erling Haaland should already have a Ballon d’Or
Rodri says that Haaland will eventually win a Ballon d’Or, but there’s an argument to make that he should already have one.
Indeed, back in 2023, Haaland came within a whisker of winning the Ballon d’Or after helping Manchester City to winning the treble.
However, Lionel Messi beat Haaland to the award after taking Argentina to World Cup glory.
Messi was a worthy winner due to his incredible international exploits, but, at club level, Haaland was way ahead of Messi that year.
|Erling Haaland 2022/23|Lionel Messi 2022/23|
|---|---|---|
|52|Games|40|
|52|Goals|20|
|9|Assists|20|
|3|Club trophies|1|
Unfortunately for Haaland, the World Cup does take precedent in these situations, and with Messi being the best player at the tournament, he was bound to be a shoo-in to win the Ballon d’Or.
Haaland didn’t feel aggrieved by Messi’s win, but he had every right to be annoyed considering what he’d achieved at club level that year.
As Rodri says, Haaland still has time on his side, and he could be a Ballon d’Or winner one day.