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Rodri claims the Ballon d’Or: The Manchester City midfielder receives surprising acclaim, marking him as a unique type of award recipient.

Posted on by Goldteelic
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29
Oct
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The Ballon d’Or was traditionally viewed by many at Manchester City as an accolade reserved for players from other clubs and different roles, but Rodri’s victory changes that perception. The midfield maestro is a deserving recipient, backed by impressive statistics. Earlier this year, Pep Guardiola expressed surprise at this recognition. He stated, “If holding midfielders started receiving the same acknowledgment as Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, we would have a problem.” Guardiola emphasized that holding midfielders should remain out of the spotlight, focusing on their role in supporting the team rather than seeking personal accolades. He noted that the team’s success relies heavily on their contributions, even if highlights usually feature other players.

Similarly, Bernardo Silva voiced his disdain for individual awards during a summer conversation. As a quintessential team player, he downplayed their significance, unlike Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has expressed a strong desire for the Ballon d’Or. Silva remarked, “I give those awards just the right amount of importance they deserve,” underscoring his belief in the collective nature of the sport. He acknowledged that while individual awards often go to strikers for their decisive moments, understanding the game reveals the vital roles played by goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders. He lamented that awards typically favor goal scorers, feeling they don’t accurately represent the sport.

Yet here we are, with Rodri crowned Ballon d’Or winner. In fact, he arguably performed even better in the previous season, playing a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic treble and scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final. His success with Spain, being named the best player at Euro 2024, has further solidified this recognition. It reflects a growing awareness of his importance in facilitating the success of top teams at both club and international levels. While goals often draw attention, Rodri’s influence is impossible to overlook. When Manchester City is in possession, he’s the one orchestrating play, distributing the ball effortlessly and ensuring it frequently returns to him. Last season, he recorded over 4,000 touches in the Premier League, setting a record.

His precise control of the ball makes the game appear effortless, though it is anything but. He receives passes under intense pressure that would overwhelm lesser players, skillfully maneuvering away from markers with ease.

Football statistics today provide insights that support visual observations, and Rodri’s numbers reflect his impressive performance. Last season, he completed 2,068 passes under pressure—500 more than the next highest player—demonstrating his ability to operate in tight spaces.

Despite the difficulty of these passes, he rarely loses possession. Tracking data shows the challenges associated with each pass, indicating that Rodri’s seemingly simple passes often come with considerable risk. Yet, among the 119 players who made over 1,000 passes in the Premier League last season, he achieved the highest completion rate, exceeding expectations by 6.79 percentage points. His passing is bolder than it appears, ranking him among the top five players for line-breaking passes alongside creative talents like Martin Ødegaard and the daring Bruno Fernandes.

Rodri also excels in a unique aspect: his high number of chipped passes sets him apart, showcasing his ability to play both between and over defenders. For those interested in more impactful statistics, he contributed eight goals and nine assists during Manchester City’s Premier League title-winning campaign, outperforming all but five forwards in those categories.

Rodri’s contributions extend far beyond just passing. No other Premier League player matched his frequency of winning possession in midfield, a crucial skill for disrupting counter-attacks. This capability is why City was so concerned when he suffered a significant injury. Guardiola emphasized Rodri’s importance, stating, “Internally, all team-mates and staff know how crucial he is. With him, we are a better team—there’s no doubt. He does so much for us; he’s irreplaceable right now.”

This was evident last season when City lost to every Premier League team except Luton in the six matches Rodri missed. They had been unbeaten in 49 games with him in the lineup until their loss in the FA Cup final. After a memorable summer with Spain, his Ballon d’Or win feels bittersweet due to his injury. A banner at the Etihad Stadium for a match against Inter read, “Can we talk about Rodri?”—a sentiment echoed by his teammates. Now, he finds himself in the spotlight, as the holding midfielder, typically overshadowed, receives an award usually given to more glamorous players. Finally, the football world is recognizing Rodri.

Goldteelic

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