"Don’t think there is a more deserved winner" - Pundit backs PL star to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr

Paul Dickov has backed Manchester City midfielder Rodri to win the Ballon d'Or this summer. The football pundit, who currently works for Manchester City TV, believes that the Spaniard was the best player last season and should get the prestigious award.

Speaking to GOAL, Dickov stated that Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Jude Bellingham were good last season, but a lot of their success was down to their teammates. However, Rodri was a standout for Manchester City, according to Dickov, who said:

"I think so. Not just last season, his performances over the last three or four seasons, he has by far been the best midfielder in that position in the world. Winning the Treble the season before last, four-in-a-row last year, winning the Euros with Spain – where he was arguably their best player. [Kylian] Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude are always going to be up there in the mix, mainly because of the club that they are at. But I look at Rodri and don’t think there is a more deserved winner of the Ballon d’Or than he will be."

Rodri won the Premier League title with Manchester City and then secured the EURO 2024 title with Spain.

Shaka Hislop backs Rodri to win Ballon d'Or

Former West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was on ESPN earlier this summer and backed Rodri to win the Ballon d'Or this year. He believes that the midfielder was better than the other two contenders - Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr - and said:

"Coming into this summer, the discussion was whoever had the better international tournament [among] Bellingham or Vinicius would win Ballon d'Or. Both were disappointing. While England got the final [of Euro 2024], I don't think Jude or England had that good a tournament. Brazil went crashing out in the quarters [of Copa America], and Vinicius was also suspended."

Hislop added:

"It was disappointing and all of a sudden, it opened up a conversation around Rodri. Spain go on and win Euro 2024, you look back and City were knocked out of Champions League by eventual winners [Real Madrid] and it was on penalties. Given Rodri's contributions for City all season long, it looks like he is the favourite [now]. Right now, I'm thinking Rodri."

ESPN pundits Steve Nicol and Stewart Robson also put their weight behind Rodri to win the award this year. The Spaniard was also in the running last year, but Lionel Messi walked away with the France Football award.