Ex-England manager Fabio Capello has backed Manchester City midfielder Rodri to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
Speaking to the Corriere Della Sera (quotes translated by Football Italia), the Italian legend said the Spanish international has been the best performer in Europe for club and country:
“I’d award Rodri for his performances in the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Euros. He was the best this season.”
Capello’s comments will be echoed by every Manchester City supporter, who believe Rodri is more than deserving of the accolade.
Who else has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or?
In addition to Rodri, three other Manchester City players are among the nominees, including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias.
With regards to Premier League players, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Arsenal quartet Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba also made the list.
Real Madrid has seven players, with Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Toni Kroos, Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr named.
Bayer Leverkusen trio Alejandro Grimaldo, Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka, Inter Milan pair Hakan Calhanoglu & Lautaro Martinez, Barcelona’s Dani Olmo & Lamine Yamal, Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams are also recognised.
Is the City midfielder the favourite for the award?
The bookmakers believe that Vinicius Jr is odds-on to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, with the likes of Sky Bet, Ladbrokes and William Hill having priced the Brazilian international at 4/9.
Rodri is widely regarded as the strong second favourite, with bookies placing his odds between 13/8 to 2/1. Everyone else is deemed an outsider, with Bellingham best priced at 11/2 with Dani Carvajal next in line at 8/1.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
