Rodri has admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or is now “no use” to him after spending most of last season injured.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
The Manchester City and Spain midfielder picked up the 2024 award but missed a large part of the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. He only returned to action in May and is still regaining full fitness.
“The injury is much more significant than the Ballon d’Or,” Rodri said before Spain’s World Cup qualifier in Turkey. “It was a breath of fresh air at a time when I was having a really hard time.”
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Rodri returned from eight months out and came off the bench shortly after 60 minutes in Spain’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
He is still working on getting fully match-fit. “I’m very happy to be back here. I’m recharged and very excited, physically I feel very good. Now it’s a matter of getting back into the swing of things,” he added.
Rodri explained why the Ballon d’Or mattered little compared to his recovery:
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
“I’m happy for the recognition, but it’s of no use to me. I still want to be the same player. Above all, when you go through this process on a mental level, I want to return to my level, I want to enjoy football again. That’s my only goal.”
Although he won’t be competing for the award this year, Rodri shared his thoughts on the frontrunners.
“I have preferences for my team-mates, but the truth is PSG have been the team of the season, and it would be hard not to give it to one of their players,” he said.
“I was really happy for Luis Enrique, for Fabian. Out of sympathy, I’d love for it to go to Lamine [Yamal] or Pedri, but based on sporting merit, maybe it’s between Ousmane or Vitinha,” he added.
Rodri also praised Arsenal’s new signing, Martin Zubimendi, who has taken over his role in the Spain midfield.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
“He’s a great player. He has the discipline and mentality that can lead him to become one of the best, if he isn’t already,” Rodri said.
“I spoke to him the other day and told him it was his time, that I was leaving him the keys to the team. He’s been at an incredible level and I’m happy to see the team at the same level.”
Source: TNTSports