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“I don’t really care” – Rodri snubs idea of winning major trophy with focus on Manchester City and Spain titles

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Manchester City and Spain’s defensive midfield hero Rodri has snubbed the idea of being the only Spanish representative on the upcoming Ballon d’Or shortlist.

The 28-year-old is on the verge of once again adding to his staggering collection of outstanding individual and collective seasons in his top-level professional playing career, with Spain into the final of the European Championships in Germany.

Rodri has won six trophies in his last two seasons at club level, including a Premier League double as part of four successive English top-flight titles in a row, and a maiden UEFA Champions League honour for the Etihad Stadium club.

But the UEFA Nations League triumph with Spain from 2023 could now be added to with an even greater honour, as Luis de la Fuente’s side go in search of the Euro 2024 crown with Gareth Southgate’s men standing in their way.

Should Spain be successful at Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday night, many football fans have tipped Rodri to be the favourite for the upcoming Ballon d’Or prize, which has so far alluded any Manchester City player in its history.

Speaking this week in a new interview with Spanish newspaper AS ahead of Spain’s European Championships final against England, Rodri was quizzed on whether he could be the only Spaniard on the shortlist for the next Ballon d’Or award.

“The truth is that I don’t really care,” the Manchester City midfielder responded. “I’m just focused on winning the European Championship. I’ve already said that I prefer that other people judge individual recognition. I’m here to win collective titles.”

Spain have not been represented for the Ballon d’Or’s podium finishes since the 2016 edition of the award, when FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta finished third behind second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo, and eventual winner Lionel Messi.

In fact, the last winner of the Ballon d’Or to come from Spain was FC Barcelona’s Luis Suarez in 1960, despite coming close to the prize in 2010 when an all-Barcelona shortlist saw Lionel Messi once again come out on top, ahead of Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

For Manchester City, the Premier League champions have been represented on the podium in each of the last two editions of the Ballon d’Or, with Erling Haaland controversially finishing second in 2023, and Kevin De Bruyne coming in third position in 2022.

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