Rio Ferdinand says Manchester City's Rodri 'the complete footballer' but not "entertaining" enough to win Ballon d'Or
Published 18/09/2024 at 21:04 GMT
The race for the Ballon d'Or is wide open, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe all in the race for the coveted prize. However, Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand believes there will be no complaints if Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri takes home the award – but admits the Spaniard is not the most "entertaining".
Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan and Rodri of Manchester City challenge during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand insists there will be no complaints if Manchester City star Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d'Or, despite believing that the prize should go to an "entertaining" player.
The midfielder helped Pep Guardiola's side to a fourth Premier League title in a row last season before playing a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won the award in all but two of the years since 2008, but with the pair now plying their trade outside of Europe's top-five leagues, a fresh crop of stars are looking to get their hands on the prize.
Ferdinand believes Rodri deserves recognition after the impact he has made for club and country, but he would like to see the 2024 Ballon d'Or awarded to a more attacking player.
"I just think he needs to put a number ten on his back and he might win it," he said.
"That is the only thing, he is arguably the most complete footballer on the planet.
"He is the most consistent, arguably. I would have him as that.
"If he wins it there will be no arguments, every area of his game is an eight or nine out of ten at the moment, and it has been like that for maybe three years.
"I think he is the most important player in the Manchester City team.
"When he doesn't play there is a bigger drop in quality than anywhere else on the pitch, even Haaland.
"I come to be entertained, though. I love these players like Rodri, but I want to be getting out of my seat and screaming.
"Players like Vinicius and Mbappe and Haaland with the goals, these are the players that make me do it.
"I understand the importance [of players like Rodri] but I do want to be supremely entertained."
Ferdinand was not the only TNT Sport pundit to be full of praise for the Spain international.
Karen Carney believes Rodri has proven he can contribute to any side going forward as well as in defense, after scoring eight goals in the Premier League last term.
"He dictates the play, breaks up the play, and the goals from outside the box last season showed his importance," said Carney.
"He is the heart, and he is the rhythm, and last season when he was not available for Manchester City they massively dropped off.
"It is like you said Rio, he is complete, and I think everyone is trying to find the next Rodri.
"No one can find him, he is different."
Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott highlighted that Rodri was initially dismissed by some as being no more than an understudy to Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho after arriving in England.
"There was a lot of pressure on him when he arrived, Fernandinho played the role exceptionally well," said Lescott.
"There were question marks over him, but he has transformed the position.
"He is so vital and, like Rio said, when he doesn't play they are not at the same level.
"If you have played the game, you recognise his importance in that role and, as a teammate, you would want him in there."
Several players are in contention to win the coveted award this term, and Ferdinand believes a host of new faces have put their hands up over the last 12 months.
"I think, unfortunately for Harry [Kane], he has probably missed the boat, but for me, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are the two names that could be beacons of the Ballon d'Or, like what we had before," added Ferdinand.
"I think Vinicius Junior will definitely have something to say about it this year.
"The likes of Jude Bellingham will be looking to walk into that conversation, Lamine Yamal will be hoping to do that at some point.
"There are guys now that are knocking on the door.
"The Ballon d'Or has become about consistency as well, you have got to win, you need a bit of luck, and you need to stay fit as well.
"You need to produce consistently.
"There are a lot of variables, but we have got some fantastic players who want to be the next guys in line."
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