Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes Rodri’s defensive role could cost the Spanish midfielder the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri was instrumental to Manchester City’s fourth successive Premier League title and Spain’s impressive Euro 2024 triumph, with his form so impressive that they have not lost in regular time since February 2023. Spain manager
Luis de la Fuente has hailed the holding midfielder as the first Spaniard to win the prestigious award since Luis Suarez in 1960.
He is expected to face competition. From Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. As well as young Spanish forward Lamine Yamal and eight-time winner Lionel Messi.
Despite his importance for both club and country, Brown thinks Rodri’s positional play will keep him in contention for the Ballon d’Or. Speaking to the Euro Thrash
podcast, Brown said: “Even when he came to City. He didn’t get recognised straight away. ” It took a while for people to go, ‘Oh my God, he’s unbeaten’. It’s his position, his moments, his leadership behind the scenes. There’s not many people that you can say are better at what they’ve done. ” But the Ballon d’Or is different. It’s a little bit more for the talent, the goalscorer. But he should be up there and being nominated.” According to ufabet http://ufabet999.app , Vinicius remain the favourite at 11/10 odds, with Rodri in second at 11/8, while Bellingham drops into third at 5/1, Dani Carvajal 8/1, Yamal 11/1 and Messi 14/1.