Manchester City’s Rodri has said it’s time for a Spanish men’s player to win a Ballon d’Or again after he was voted Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, with none of his compatriots having won the prestigious award since Barcelona legend Luis Suárez in 1960.
“Spanish football deserves a Ballon d’Or winner,” Rodri said after his team’s 2-1 triumph over England. “Spain deserves to win a Ballon d’Or.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called for Rodri to win the individual trophy, awarded to the best performing player over the last year.
“For me Rodri is the best player in the world, please give him the Ballon d’Or now,” De la Fuente said.
The City midfielder started in six of Spain’s seven games in Germany, scoring one goal with a passing accuracy of 92.84%.
Asked about his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, Rodri said: “I’m going to be honest, I would like for a Spaniard to win it, I don’t care who. 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.”
Spain right-back Carvajal, who won the Champions League and LaLiga with Real Madrid, agreed with Rodri and said: “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.”
Rodri, meanwhile, has said he hopes that Spain captain Álvaro Morata will continue to play for the national team. Morata, 31, recently complained that he received no respect from the media and fans in Spain, adding that it was “probable” that Euro 2024 was his last tournament with Spain.
Rodri said: “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.
“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.”
