Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has shared the one player who he believes is destined to win the individual award during their career.
France Football sent the footballing world into shock when it was leaked that Rodri would be winning this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of the long-standing favourite Vinicius Jr.
Following the leak, it was revealed by Fabrizio Romano that Vinicius along with the entirety of Real Madrid would not be attending the award in protest.
At the ceremony in Paris, it was confirmed that Rodri was indeed the winner, following his sensational season that saw him win the Premier League and Euro 2024 championships.
After winning the award, Rodri took to the stage on crutches and thanked those who voted for him.
“Good evening everybody, I have to thank many people. First of all France Football and UEFA for giving me this award,” he began.
“Thanks for being here again everyone, I want to thank those who voted for me. Today is a special day not just for me but for my family.”
Whilst on stage the Manchester City midfielder also revealed one player he is ‘convinced’ will win the Ballon d’Or winner.
“Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or very soon, I’m convinced of it,” he claimed.
“Keep it up, keep working hard, you’ll get there”.
Yamal had already been on stage during the ceremony, as it was confirmed he won the Kopa trophy which is awarded to the best young player of the year.
Lamine Yamal- Getty
The 17-year-old was instrumental alongside Rodri for Spain during Euro 2024 and has had a sensational start to the new season with Barcelona who sit top of La Liga.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yamal admitted that he does have his eye on Rodri’s prize: “I hope to win a Ballon d’Or as soon as possible, yes”. “It’s something I have in mind. I’m going all out to get it!”.
Yamal finished 8th overall in this year’s standings.
Top 30 Ballon d’Or rankings in full:
29.Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)
29.Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
28.Alex Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
27.Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
26.Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
25.Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)
24.William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
23.Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
22.Antonio Rudiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
21.Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
20.Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey, Inter)
19.Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
18.Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
17.Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
16.Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)
15.Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
14.Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
13.Dani Olmo (Spain, RB Leipzig / Barcelona)
12.Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
11.Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
10.Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
9.Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
8.Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
7.Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
6.Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG / Real Madrid)
5.Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
4.Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
3.Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
2.Vinicius Jr (Brazil, Real Madrid)
1.Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)