Declan Rice has become a hugely influential player for both Arsenal and England with plenty of trophies on offer for the midfielder this year
Arsenal and England star Declan Rice reacts
Arsenal and England star Declan Rice may be in the running to win the Ballon d'Or this year (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice admits his focus is on ensuring the Gunners win trophies, not him claiming the Ballon d'Or. Rice has become a key part of Mikel Arteta's team since joining from West Ham United in July 2023 for a club-record fee of £105million.
The 27-year-old has made 38 appearances across all competitions so far this season as Arsenal chase an unprecedented quadruple. Arteta's team top the Premier League table, face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, are in the FA Cup fifth round against Mansfield Town and are through to the Champions League last 16.
Pressure is on the Gunners to end their six-year major trophy drought, having last won silverware in an FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2020. That wait has been widely tipped to end this season, but Arsenal's mentality to cope under pressure has been questioned after recent slip-ups in the league.
And Rice has opened up on whether he could be a contender for this year's Ballon d'Or, an award given to the best player in the world at the time. Speaking to the Sun, he admits winning the award is not his focus.
He said: "It’s unreal, obviously. You want to be involved in those conversations.
"They’re the right ones to be involved in. But also you see the recent Ballon d’Or winners, what they’ve won during their season.
Declan Rice of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland
Declan Rice will be key for Arsenal and England in the coming months(Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
View 2 Images
“Hopefully we can have a successful season and I can be involved in those conversations. That would be amazing.
“If not, that’s not something I am setting my eye on. I really want the team to do well first.”
Arsenal's first shot at winning a long-awaited trophy will come in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on March 22. And Rice has admitted the huge fixture against Premier League title rivals City is one he is looking forward to.
He added: “I’m buzzing. It’s everything we’ve been working towards.
“It’s the first trophy that’s up for grabs. It’s one that you can take and then after that, go on in the Premier League and have full momentum.
“We’re in a really good position now that we’re in the final and now we have a chance to go and win it.
“But where it’s in March, and then you still have two months left of the Prem, it’s a real momentum builder. So it’s one that we’re definitely looking to go and win.”
Rice will also be hoping to enjoy silverware success on the international stage this summer as England seek World Cup glory in North America. The Three Lions are in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama with the 48-team tournament kicking off with Mexico versus South Africa on June 11.
Content Image
Content Image