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ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop has tipped Manchester City midfielder Rodri to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal The Spaniard was a pivotal part of the Manchester City that won the Premier League for a fourth striaight season. Rodri played 50 times, scoring nine and assisting 14.
The former Atletico Madrid star then starred for Spain at Euro 2024, making seven appearances as La Roja won a record fourth title. Speaking about the midfielder's credentials to win the award, Hislop said on the ESPN UK YouTube channel :
“I am going for Rodri. For me, when we talk about Rodri and you talk about City successes, and albeit they got knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on penalties, and Spain’s successes, I feel that Rodri was far more pivotal to those than Carvajal was for Real Madrid."
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The defensive midfielder, though, faces stiff competition from the Real Madrid trio of Vinicius, Bellingham and Carvajal who all won the La Liga and UEFA Champions League double.
Ronaldo Nazario tips Vinicius to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Rodri, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo Nazario has tipped his compatriot Vinicius to win the award ahead of Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and Rodri. Vinicius was phenomenal for the Spanish giants , bagging 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions.
Speaking with ESPN Brasil, former Los Blancos star Ronaldo said:
"I think Viní already deserves it (the Ballon d'Or). He's had a spectacular Champions League, a spectacular La Liga, and he's been evolving more and more.
"I remember that I did his presentation the day he arrived at Real Madrid, and I got on well with him. I talk to Viní a lot about football and certain details and, looking at everything that's happened, it's a fantastic development that he's making."
The 2002 World Cup winner concluded his endorsement of Vinicius:
"I think his time has come. He's been extremely decisive this year for Real Madrid. For me, today he's the best player in the world by far."
Vinicus will hope to win the award amid competition from his Real Madrid teammates. If he does so, he will become the first Brazillian since Kaka (2007) to win the Ballon d'Or.
