Rodri’s Rise: A Defensive Midfielder in the Ballon d’Or Conversation
Lucas Leiva, the former Liverpool stalwart, has thrown his weight behind Manchester City’s Rodri as a potential Ballon d’Or 2024 winner. The Spanish midfielder has redefined the role of a defensive midfielder, showcasing exceptional performances both for club and country.
Rodri’s impact was instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory, where he was named Player of the Tournament. His impressive statistics, including goals, assists, and passing accuracy, highlight his all-round abilities.
“A midfield player, especially a holding midfield player, normally it is not a position that people look at so much. But it is an important role for the team,” he told Stats Perform.
“It’s a position where you give balance to the team. You allow people to get forward, but you also give protection to the defence. You start everything from that role.
“So, [Sergio] Busquets and now Rodri are playing a big part with Man City, but also with Spain. We could see that at the Euros.
“Of course, Rodri is one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or, but I would probably say another two players: Bellingham and Vinicius. I think those three will challenge for the Ballon d’Or, and we’ll have to wait and see.
“Of course, Rodri deserves it, but Bellingham and Vinicius deserve it as well for what they’ve done with Real Madrid and with their national teams, especially Bellingham getting to the [Euros] final.
“We will have to wait and see. But I’m happy to see a holding midfielder on the shortlist because it’s a position that people don’t look at too much.
“People are starting to appreciate it a little bit more.”
