Every year as the footballing season draws to a close, people start having conversations about who should rightfully win the Ballon d’Or. This year it’s between Rodri, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best footballer in the world in the recently ended season. Or at least, that is the literal definition you give those who don’t know about it. For the last 15 years or so, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have maintained a stronghold over the prestigious award, something that was never seen before. Because 50 goals season after season is just otherworldly.
But that stronghold has come to an end with both mega stars entering the twilight of their careers. With the 20224-25 season being a season with an international tournament being played, (Euros and Copa America), everyone knew the players who perform in this tournament will have a high chance of winning the award. But no one could’ve precedented how much it would affect the rankings.
From a neutral perspective, Rodri, Bellingham and Vinicius all seem to deserve the award. Bellingham and Vinicius Jr both won the Champions League, The Supercopa de Espana, and La Liga with Real Madrid. Both were instrumental in their club’s successes, with Bellingham being the best player in the world during the first part of the season, while Vini Jr picked up pace towards the end of the season and scored 4 goals in finals for Madrid.
Rodri on the other hand lost in the Semi-finals against Madrid in the Champions League and lost the FA Cup Final against Manchester United. But for the whole season, he was arguably the best DM in the world and the best City player. Winning City’s 4th Premier League title in a row, and also winning the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup, Rodri’s club season still pales in comparison to Jude’s and Vini’s. So why are there claims that Rodri will win the Ballon d’Or?
Well, Rodri was possibly the only one out of the three who did not let his performance levels drop when he represented his country. Vinicius Jr crashed out of the Copa America with Brazil in the Quarterfinals. While Bellingham’s England lost to Rodri’s Spain in the Euros 2024 Final. Rodri won the Player Of The Tournament in the Euros deservingly. And Spain’s dominance in the whole tournament has rocketed his chances of winning the Golden Ball massively.
While both Vini and Jude did win the Champions League, while being excellent in different parts of the season, Rodri was consistent throughout the season winning his team games and not losing often when on the pitch. In fact, since the start of 2023, Rodri has lost just 7 matches while winning a total of 8 trophies. This stat is just unreal for any footballer. Rodri’s impact on Pep’s Manchester City team is truly undeniable and the fact that Rodri didn’t lose a single Premier League match this season is a testament to that.
In 2018, Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or for being the WC Runners Up Croatia’s best player winning the WC Golden Ball, and winning the Champions League with Madrid. He wasn’t even Madrid’s best player, that was Cristiano Ronaldo. But Modric had meagre G/A stats, with just 4 goals and 12 assists in the entire season. Rodri on the other hand, has 12 goals and 15 assists to his name. His rivals Vinicius Jr (26 goals, 12 assists) and Bellingham (27 goals and 17 assists), do have more G/A stats, but that’s simply because Jude played most of the season as a sort of shadow striker while Vinicius is a Left-winger, while Rodri is a CDM.
Say, had these Jude and Vini G/A stats been Messi-Ronaldo level crazy, like, 30-40 goals or 20-25 assists, then there would realistically be no contest. Just like Iniesta and Xavi in 2010 and 2012, when both Spaniards won International gold, but Messi just was too good. But sadly for the Madrid duo, that’s something not easily replicable. And hence, Rodri will be the one holding the Ballon d’Or.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to the opinion of the 100 journalists who will be voting for the Ballon d’Or. And while this Ballon d’Or will be one of the most closely contested ones in a long time, Rodri will be able to nick it from Vini Jr and Bellingham.
