Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker backed Manchester City midfielder Rodri to clinch the Ballon d'Or. The 28-year-old enjoyed an exceptional year for club and country, winning the Premier League and then the European Championship with Spain.
Yet, because he is a defensive midfielder instead of a serial goalscorer, many believe he may struggle to pick up the individual gong. However, Rodri's impact has been impossible to ignore, especially considering he has not lost a football match across 90 minutes since March 2023, when Scotland beat Spain 2-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The former Atletico Madrid star will be competing against Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, while Lionel Messi could also be a contender for the award for a ninth time after winning the Copa America with Argentina. Despite the stiff competition, Lineker and Shearer thinks Rodri is in a field of his own.
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While also speaking to Micah Richards on the Rest is Football podcast, both Shearer and Lineker named Rodri as their pick for the Ballon d'Or. The Newcastle United legend said: "It can only be him."
Lineker added: "I think Rodri deserves it. They did not win the Champions League at City, but they did win the league and then the Euros with Spain, when he was very much their leader."
He also thinks Rodri's Spanish team-mate Lamine Yamal will also scoop up an award of his own. The former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur striker said: "I think young player of the year, I have a feeling, will be Lamine Yamal. He could win that for the next five years."
Pep Guardiola also recently threw his support behind the midfield maestro for the high-profile award in Paris on Monday, October 28, reports the Mirror. Speaking ahead of City's recent triumph over West Ham United, Guardiola said: "We would be delighted - he deserves it.
"But maybe another one deserves it too. The people will vote. Rodri has done not just one season, many seasons really good and the previous season was really good with the Premier League and the Euros winning with Spain.
"But there are other players who had a good season. I would love one [City] player to win it because for players it means a lot. I would love it.
"I've said many times, just being in contention and being there means the club - individually and collectively - has done a good season. There are a lot of good teams with good players, hopefully it happens but it is not in my hands."
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