Rodri for Ballon d’Or! Ex-Man City star jokes about Golden Ball win ahead of Ousmane Dembele & Lamine Yamal as Pep Guardiola’s side ‘fell off’ without injured midfielder

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was, on the back of Premier League and European Championship triumphs, named the best player on the planet in 2024. He pipped Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to that prestigious prize.

The 28-year-old saw knee ligament damage prevent him from defending that title in 2024-25, with just four appearances taken in at club level before being forced to undergo surgery and work his way through a gruelling rehabilitation programme.

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Rodri has come through that and could figure for City at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Ex-City goalkeeper Given, speaking in association with DAZN, told GOAL when asked about how big a boost the Spanish schemer will provide: “I joked recently about Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or again because how much City fell off without him being there!

“It’s the perfect tournament for him. He’s back training now. It’s the perfect tournament for him to be involved in and to get the games to get him back up to speed with high-end football and test that knee.

“He’s so influential to Manchester City. He’s been a bigger miss than any player I’ve seen in the last decade, for any team. That’s how much Man City missed him. As a football pursuit it will be good to see Rodri back out on the pitch with the shirt on. Ballon d’Or winner, that shows the talent he is. I’m excited to see him again.”

City spent big in January as Pep Guardiola attempted to counter the unfortunate loss of Rodri, with more cash being splashed this summer. Given expects further business to be done when the window re-opens on June 16. He added: “I think so. It feels like they need to freshen things up.

“They dropped off a bit this season - they still finished third, so it’s not that big a cliff they have dropped off! I know they haven’t won a trophy. [Kevin] De Bruyne has left, it looks like [Jack] Grealish might be on his way out, maybe [Ilkay] Gundogan, [Bernardo] Silva, Kyle Walker. It felt like the legs and average age sprung up on everyone this season.

“It’s not a total rebuild but they will definitely be freshening things up for the new season. This tournament is perfect as you can get the players in and get them integrated into the style of football.”

City, who will be looking to make history when the first winners of the expanded Club World Cup are confirmed, are set to get their quest for a global crown up and running when facing Wydad AC on June 18.

Shay Given was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.