Thierry Henry is picking Rodri to win this year’s Ballon d’Or after claiming that midfielders are never valued highly enough for awards compared to forwards such as Lionel Messi
Thierry Henry has claimed he always wanted Xavi and Andres Iniesta to win the Ballon d’Or – instead of former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi.
And the ex-Arsenal and France star reckons Manchester City midfielder Rodri deserves to be named this year’s best player after winning another Premier League title and the European Championship with Spain.
But he believes central midfielders are too often overlooked when it comes to evaluating the world ’s best players with awards historically biased towards goalscorers.
Real Madrid ’s Vinicius Jr is the favourite for this year’s gong but Rodri, who is ruled out for the entirety of this season with a ruptured cruciate ligament, gets Henry’s pick.
And speaking on CBS Sports’ coverage of Tuesday night’s Champions League action, he said: “I [always] wanted Xavi and Andres Iniesta to win it when they were performing.
“People forget about midfielders and what they do. They’re the heart of the team. He is the heart of Manchester City. I know he didn’t win the Champions League [last season] but he won the Euros [with Spain].”
Henry rates Vinicius Jr highly but questioned his lack of impact for Brazil at the Copa America, even if Real won the Champions League.
He also scored a hat-trick in last night’s stunning comeback against Borussia Dortmund. Real were 2-0 down at the break but scored five times in the last half an hour, with Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vasquez also finding the net at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Vini Jr didn’t perform at the Copa America,” Henry added. “But is he [still] a worthy winner? Yes. He is outstanding, I keep on saying. For me, right now, as a forward, he is the best in the world. So he deserves it [too].”
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher added: “I’d go for Vini Jr. They won the Champions League, which is the biggest thing you can win in club football.
“It’s difficult for Rodri because of the position he plays. Very few players win it in that position, whether you are a holding midfield player or a defender.”
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