Barcelona and Spain star Rodri has named six of his Spanish team-mates as players he believes “absolutely deserve” to win the Ballon d’Or, while admitting he would particularly like to see a compatriot receive the award next month.
Rodri made his comments before Spain’s Nations League meeting with England, with the identity of the next winner still uncertain despite Harry Kane being the bookmakers’ leading candidate.
Kane is competing with Kylian Mbappe, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal among the leading contenders. The England captain’s case is supported by a remarkable season in which he scored 73 goals – a total bettered only once, by Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
The debate has also been shaped by Yamal’s view that the Ballon d’Or should recognise the best player rather than simply the leading goalscorer.
Rodri, however, said he would prefer the prize to go to one of the Spain players who helped lift the World Cup.
“What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it,” Rodri said. “There are six of us nominated: Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Lamine, and Ferran.
“I can tell you that, individually, every one of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d'Or. I think all my team-mates have solid arguments.”
He went on to outline the individual cases for the nominated players.
“Fabian Ruiz is the one who has won the most titles,” he said. “Cubarsi, for what he has achieved at just 19 years old. Ferran scored the decisive goal. As for me, I was named Player of the Tournament. And Lamine is incredible.”
Although Rodri included himself among the six nominees, he is not regarded as one of the leading contenders for this year’s award.
He also argued that another Spain team-mate, Pedri, should have been included on the shortlist.
“Pedri had to be there, one of the best in the world last year,” Rodri said.
Rodri would be especially pleased if Yamal won the award. Victory would make Yamal the first Spain player to claim the Ballon d’Or since Rodri himself won it in 2024.
The ceremony takes place next month, with Kane currently considered the favourite after his prolific campaign. No clear winner has emerged, however, leaving Mbappe, Kane, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Yamal among the main names in contention alongside the Spanish nominees.