Manchester City’s defensive stalwart Rodri has advocated for players in his position to win the Ballon d’Or.
The individual honour has been awarded to attacking midfielders and strikers and Rodri believes there should be a paradigm shift.
Expressing his aspiration for change, Rodri said, “We all dream of it. I would love it if a defensive midfielder like me could win it, it would mean a lot. For football, this would be an interesting change.”
In an interview with France Football relayed by GetFootballNews, the Spanish star emphasized his satisfaction with his current standing in the rankings, affirming, “I am enjoying my ranking. I can say that I am the fifth-best player in the world.”
The last defensive player to clinch the Ballon d’Or was Fabio Cannavaro 18 years ago, underscoring the rarity of defensive players’ recognition in the prestigious award’s history.