Rodri, the Manchester City and Spanish international midfielder, has been spotted in Paris as he prepares for the Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place on Monday night. The 28-year-old is considered the leading contender for the prestigious award after a remarkable season both at the club and international levels.
Rodri played a crucial role in helping Manchester City secure a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title last year. His contributions continued on the international stage, where he was instrumental in Spain’s triumph at the European Championships this summer, culminating in a win over Germany in the final.
His outstanding performances during Euro 2024 earned him the Player of the Tournament accolade, making him a strong candidate to become the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthäus.
As he arrived at his hotel in Paris, joined by representatives and other nominees from Manchester City, anticipation is building around Rodri’s potential success at the ceremony. Reports indicate that he is viewed as a likely winner, adding to the excitement surrounding the event.
In contrast, it has been revealed that Brazil’s Vinicius Jr and the Real Madrid delegation will not be attending the ceremony. Both Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid are aware that he is unlikely to receive the Ballon d’Or award this year. Notably, other figures from the club, including president Florentino Pérez, manager Carlo Ancelotti, and midfielder Jude Bellingham, will also be absent.
Sources suggest that Real Madrid believes Rodri will be announced as the Ballon d’Or winner on Monday night. Reflecting on his nomination earlier, Rodri remarked on the significance of being recognized among top players and emphasized that individual accolades are the result of hard work, expressing hope for a victory that would benefit Spain as a whole.