BALLON D'OR: The main candidate is now... Rodri?

Real Madrid player Vinícius was the big favourite, along with Haaland, Mbappé or Rodri, among others. But the fact that neither the Brazilian striker nor Real Madrid will travel as an expedition suggests that neither Carvajal nor Bellingham nor Kroos will win the Ballon d'Or either. So right now, the main candidate is Manchester City player Rodri, who has travelled to the Gala.

Rodri could star in the big surprise of the 2024 Ballon d'Or

There were many candidates, although there was a clear favourite: Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid player was at the top of all the betting lists to succeed Leo Messi as the best player in the world last season. However, the latest information has confirmed that he will not be the winner. And it seems that Rodri, another of the favourites, will finally be the winner.

Rodri won the Premier League and the European Championship, as well as the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup. He was the leader of Guardiola's Manchester City and the Spanish national team.

The award par excellence in football has only been won by one Spaniard in its entire history: Luis Suárez. He won it in 1960 with 54 points, beating Ferenc Puskás, with 37, and Uwe Seeler, with 33.

A Ballon d'Or that was recently close to being won by Fernando Torres in 2008, and the Blaugranas Xavi Hernández in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and Andrés Iniesta in 2010.

Spanish players such as Emilio Butragueño, who finished third twice in a row in 1986 and 1987, also fell short of the prize, and even Raúl González Blanco in 2001 came second only to Michael Owen. .

City upping Rodri's goals. Can you smell it yet?

Every @premierleague goal from Rodri's immense 2023/24 season! 🎯⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ir8g9trvrd

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 28, 2024