“Rodri must be the owner of the golden ball title. Give it to him, please.

He is simply the best player in the world.”

That’s what Spain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente commented on the race for the Golden Ball title this season.

Since 2022, France Football – the organizer of the European Golden Ball award – has changed the time for evaluating candidates. Instead of counting performances based on the calendar year as before, the Ballon d’Or will now be judged based on performances during the season.

Therefore, after Euro 2024 and Copa 2024 end, it is time for everyone to pay attention to the owner of this noble title.

Rodri has had a successful season. Although he could not defend the Champions League title with Manchester City, this 1996-born midfielder was also the most important factor in the team’s achievement of establishing a historic milestone of four consecutive Premier League titles. home team Etihad Stadium, along with the Euro championship title and the best player of the tournament.

Jude Bellingham is another strong candidate. The young British talent helped his team reach the Euro finals, as well as having a successful season with Real Madrid, winning a double title in La Liga and the Champions League.

Bellingham’s two Real teammates, Vinicius Jr. and another Euro champion, Dani Carvajal, are also names that are considered to have a chance to win this individual award.

As for Rodri himself, the best player of Euro 2024 commented:”That title deserves to be given to a Spanish player. I think so, it doesn’t matter who it is. I know Dani [Carvajal] deserves it. Personally, I’m proud of the achievements. what I have done as well as what everyone has recorded.”

The 2024 Golden Ball award ceremony will take place at the end of October this year. In the 21st century, only Fabio Cannavaro (2006) and Luka Modric (2018) are players who do not play as strikers/attacking midfielders to win this award.

In Rodri’s case, the last person to play as a defensive midfielder and win the Golden Ball was Matthias Sammer – a legend of the German national team and Borrussia Dortmund – in 1996. At that time, Sammer also won the national and Euro championships. .