Manchester City midfielder, Rodri, has backed Lionel Messi to win his eighth Ballon d’Or award ahead of Erling Haaland.
Argentine superstar Messi guided his nation to their third World Cup crown in Qatar and won a second Ligue 1 title at Paris Saint-Germain in 2022-23.
He already boasts of having seven Golden Balls to his name and is being tipped to secure a record-extending eighth in Paris on October 30.
Rodri has admitted that the Inter Miami forward is the favourite for the Ballon d’Or, despite his team-mate Haaland scoring 52 goals to fire City to treble glory in his debut season at Etihad Stadium.
“I think a certain Leo Messi is going to take it.
“Haaland is also a very large figure and has merits,” the City star said in an interview with COPE.
Also, Rodri was nominated for the 2023 prize, but doesn’t expect to win. He is not in the public eye as much as his peers.
“I know it’s an individual award with a lot of marketing,” he added.
“Among the monsters I’m with, of course, I lacked marketing, like Xavi and Iniesta.
“I worry about the things I can control, which is the collective awards.”
If Messi goes on to lift the award, then he will set a unique record of becoming the first player to win the coveted individual prize while playing club football beyond the boundaries of Europe.
Read more: Lionel Messi Will Beat Erling Haaland To 2023 Ballon d’Or Award
He joined MLS side Inter Miami over the summer and guided them to the Leagues Cup title.
However, he failed to fire them to an MLS playoff spot after missing five games with a muscle injury.
