Rodri has picked out four players that could succeed him as the Ballon d’Or winner in 2025, with Lamine Yamal considered to be in the mix.

• Spanish midfielder took the crown in 2024
• New recipient lined up for prestigious prize
• PSG & Barca superstars leading that race

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  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.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  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.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  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.

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  WHAT RODRI SAID

  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.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News