Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has expressed his belief that teammate Rodri deserves to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or, following an exceptional season that included both individual achievements and team triumphs. Speaking with ESPN Brasil, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Dias highlighted Rodri's influence on both club and country, underscoring his role in City's historic treble-winning season and Spain's victory in the UEFA Nations League.
"Rodri had an impressive season," Dias shared, emphasizing how Rodri's performances have set him apart. "Not one... many [achievements] in a row. He won the Euros, which is not found in every generation." While Rodri did not actually win the UEFA European Championship, his triumph with Spain in the Nations League contributed to his growing list of honors, making a strong case for why he should be recognized among the world's best players.
Dias described Rodri as a "special player," emphasizing the Spaniard's importance in Manchester City's squad. As a defensive midfielder, Rodri often operates as the anchor in City's lineup, orchestrating play, regaining possession, and contributing significantly to the team's structure. His consistency and skill were pivotal to City's success in the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League last season, and he has been widely credited with one of the key goals in City's Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Dias's comments reflect the wider sentiment around Rodri's influence. While attackers like Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland have dominated the Ballon d'Or conversations, Rodri's name has entered the mix due to his standout season in a position that traditionally receives less attention. As one of the most influential defensive midfielders today, Rodri's role in his teams' successes may challenge the dominance of forwards in the Ballon d'Or voting.
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