Rodri's touching message to Lamine Yamal after winning Ballon d'Or as Man City & Spain star makes huge claim about Barcelona wonderkid

City star Rodri won the historic Ballon d'Or prize on Monday evening, officially being voted as the best player in world football, beating out Real Madrid trio Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and runner-up Vinicius Junior. Yamal, by comparison, won the Kopa Trophy at the ceremony, as the 17-year-old wonderkid was voted the best young player on the planet.

During Rodri's victory speech, the Spaniard called attention to Yamal, and addressed him directly, telling him that he will eventually win the Ballon d'Or if he keeps improving. The teenager has been in unbelievable form for Barca this season, scoring six goals and laying on seven assists in 14 games, including a strike in the weekend's 4-0 thumping of Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Rodri said: "Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d'Or very soon. I'm convinced of it. Keep it up, keep working hard, you'll get there."

Rodri is currently sidelined for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. Yamal will next be in action when Barcelona play Espanyol on Sunday in La Liga.