Rodri Sets his Sights on the Ballon d'Or
Manchester City's Spanish international Rodri Hernández, who finished fifth in the last Ballon d'Or edition, admitted he would love to see a defensive midfielder like himself win the award one day because it would send an important message to young players who want to play in that position.
In an interview published this Saturday in "France Football," the former Atlético Madrid player also praised his coach at that club during the 2018-2019 season, Diego Pablo Simeone, and his current coach, Pep Guardiola.
"I know legendary midfielders have never achieved it (the Ballon d'Or), but I would love for a defensive midfielder like myself to win it. That would mean a lot, both for the recipient and for young players who want to play in that position, so they know they have the right to be recognized, even if they don't score goals or aren't particularly flashy in their game," he emphasized.
Despite his admitted ambition to win the award, 27-year-old Rodri said he "savors" the fifth place in the ranking in 2023.
Regarding Simeone, with whom he coincided for only one season, the Madrid-born defensive midfielder and former Villarreal player asserted that he learned "another dimension of the game," as he started to "be competitive in duels, to be strong when the team is struggling."
With Guardiola, who signed him in 2019 for 70 million euros, Rodri has improved "both tactically and mentally." "He (Guardiola) knows everything about that position (defensive midfielder)," expressed the Spanish international.
"Where I play, your teammates expect you to be their lifeline, with or without the ball, especially if the game is tense. Your teammates have to feel in your game: 'let's not panic, let's regain control of the game,'" he added.
The City midfielder recalled his historic goal that defeated Inter Milan on June 10, 2023, giving the English side their first Champions League title.
"I remember the forest of legs in a small space and the perfect strike that ends up inside. I sprinted faster than ever to celebrate near the corner post and told my teammates right after celebrating: 'guys, there are still 20 minutes left, 20 minutes!'" he recounted.
Rodri, a Spanish international on 48 occasions, judged that the best defensive midfielder in history is his former teammate in the Spanish national team, Sergio Busquets (formerly of Barcelona, now Inter Miami), whom he wished to emulate for his "amazing consistency" and his first touch.
"Sergio is incredible in tight spaces, nobody has had a first touch like him, because of his quality on the ball, how he moves his body, and the speed of his brain to make the right control against the pressure of two or three opponents," he noted.
The City midfielder clarified that he distinguishes himself from Busquets by having "more physical impact and more projection in the final 30 meters."
