October 22nd 2024.
In a recent interview, former Arsenal player Thierry Henry shared his prediction for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. He believes that Manchester City's Rodri, who is currently sidelined with an injury, is a strong contender for the prestigious award. According to Henry, Rodri is the heart of Pep Guardiola's team and has played a crucial role in Spain's victory at Euro 2024.
The Ballon d'Or, which is given to the best player in world football, will be handed out on October 28th in Paris. Out of the 30 nominees, both Rodri and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior have caught Henry's attention. However, Henry ultimately chose Rodri as his top pick for the award.
When asked about his reasoning, Henry explained, "I always wanted Xavi and Andres Iniesta to win it when they were performing. People often overlook midfielders and the important role they play in a team. But for me, Rodri is the heart of Manchester City. He may not have won the Champions League last season, but he helped Spain win the Euros."
Henry's admiration for Rodri's performance at Euro 2024 is not unfounded. In fact, Rodri was named Player of the Tournament for his impressive displays on the field. However, Henry did give credit to Vinicius Junior for his skills as well. The Brazilian forward was a strong contender for the award, especially after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.
But ultimately, Henry and fellow pundit Jamie Carragher both chose Vinicius Junior over Rodri. Carragher argued that the Brazilian's contributions to Real Madrid's success in the Champions League cannot be ignored. However, Henry believes that Vinicius Junior is currently the best forward in the world and is also deserving of the award.
It is worth noting that it is rare for a midfielder or defender to win the Ballon d'Or, which is usually dominated by forwards. But Henry and Carragher both believe that Rodri and Vinicius Junior have made strong cases for themselves and are worthy contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Only time will tell who will ultimately take home the prestigious award.
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