Ballon d’Or successor? Rodri makes four picks - with Spain star putting Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in Golden Ball mix

On the back of helping Manchester City to the Premier League title and Spain to European Championship glory, all-action midfielder Rodri was named the best player on the planet in 2024.

He has endured a tough time since then, with knee ligament damage writing off much of his 2024-25 campaign, and that means a prestigious Golden Ball will be passed on to a new recipient when another glitzy ceremony takes place in Paris on September 22.

Paris Saint-Germain’s exploits last season, as they broke their Champions League duck, are considered to make Ousmane Dembele a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or. Barcelona wonderkid Yamal remains part of that conversation at 18 years of age.

Asked to pick out his leading contenders, City talisman Rodri told reporters: “The Ballon d’Or is difficult. PSG has been the team of the season, and it would be hard not to give it to someone from that team. I’m happy for Luis Enrique. I’d like to see Lamine or Pedri win it for my affinity with them, but on sporting merit, Dembele or Vitinha.”

Rodri suffered another untimely injury at the FIFA Club World Cup, but made two appearances for City prior to the latest international break and is currently looking to help Spain down a path that leads to the 2026 World Cup.