News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th July 2024
Manchester City’s Rodri has emphasized the need for a Spanish men’s player to clinch the Ballon d’Or, after being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024. The last time a Spaniard won this prestigious award was Barcelona’s Luis Suárez in 1960.
“Spanish football deserves a Ballon d’Or winner,” Rodri declared following Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final. “Spain deserves to win a Ballon d’Or.”
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, echoed Rodri’s sentiment, asserting that Rodri should receive the accolade. “For me, Rodri is the best player in the world. Please give him the Ballon d’Or now,” de la Fuente stated.
Rodri played a crucial role in Spain’s campaign in Germany, starting in six of their seven matches, scoring one goal, and boasting a passing accuracy of 92.84%. Despite his outstanding performance, Rodri remained humble about his chances. “I would like for a Spaniard to win it, I don’t care who,” he said. “It would be great. I’ve heard that [Real Madrid’s Dani] Carvajal also deserves it. From an individual standpoint, I’m very proud of what I am doing and the recognition I’m getting. But someone else has to make that assessment. I came here to win Euro 2024.”
Dani Carvajal, who enjoyed a stellar season with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League and LaLiga, agreed with Rodri. “I hope a Spaniard gets it. I think Spanish football deserves it. I would love for that to happen. I think I could be among the candidates not just for the titles that I’ve won this year but for my performances. But it [winning the award] doesn’t cross my mind,” Carvajal said.
Rodri, with 56 appearances and four goals for Spain, also expressed his hope that Spain captain Álvaro Morata would continue with the national team. Morata, 31, hinted that Euro 2024 might be his last tournament, citing a lack of respect from media and fans in Spain. “Besides being a great teammate and a good friend, Morata is a superb professional. He gave it all today [in the Euro 2024 final]. It was one of his best performances in the competition,” Rodri said. “He has received a lot of criticism and it is not easy but he has risen. I hope he continues because he deserves it. He is an example in how he does things as captain. He will be part of the history of Spanish football.”
As the Euro 2024 victory revitalizes Spanish football, Rodri and his compatriots look forward to greater recognition on the global stage, hoping that their efforts will finally bring a Ballon d’Or back to Spain.
