“I am already a winner” – Rodri reveals Ballon d’Or message issued in the street by football fans | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Rodri has admitted to being issued with a clear Ballon d’Or message from passers-by in the street, ahead of the latest issuing of the illustrious prize.

The Spanish international midfielder is expected to go head-to-head with some of the finest attacking players on the planet, thrust firmly into the discussion for the top individual prize in football following his European Championship success in the summer.

Success in Germany with his Spain national teammates accompanied yet another trio of trophies won across the course of his latest City season, with the club’s fourth successive Premier League title achieved alongside the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

Rodri appears to be battling against all of the odds in the latest Ballon d’Or awarding ceremony however, looking to become the first defensive midfielder to win the prize since German football great Lothar Matthäus in 1990.

Speaking exclusively to ESPN’s Mark Ogden ahead of the latest edition of the Ballon d’Or, Rodri admitted that ‘fighting’ with the likes of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. in particular is a ‘very proud’ moment for him after his efforts for club and country over the last months.

“People say I’m going to fight with Vinícius, who is someone I admire,” Rodri said. “I think he is a great player. Just being in the conversation makes me very proud of the work I’ve put in.”

He continued, “It will depend a little bit on what people value [when they vote], what they believe, and honestly, there are a lot of players who deserve to win it, so we will see what the decision is.”

Rodri went on to reveal the message that he has been receiving when in the street away from the football pitch, with several people already believing that the 28-year-old is the clear and deserving winner of the award.

“But imagine for me, to be in the conversation that the people when I walk into the street, they say to me, you going to win the Ballon d’Or, you deserve it,” the Manchester City man revealed.

“And for me, that means I am already a winner with this,” he continued. “The people that believe that I can be the best player in the world and telling me these kind of things, for me is incredible. I never dream about this.

“But once you are in this situation, this position, because a lot of years of work, a lot of trust on yourself and the help of all the people, you think about this award and being there is just unbelievable.”

Rodri and Manchester City’s schedule in the club fixture calendar will intensify from this weekend, with the meeting against Brentford marking the start of two matches per week for the foreseeable future.

The Premier League clash against Thomas Frank’s men will be followed up by the return of UEFA Champions League action and the meeting with Inter, before Arsenal make the journey north for the first meeting in their latest top-flight title battle next Sunday.