Ballon d'Or 2024: 'The standout thing' that sets Manchester City's Rodri apart from rivals revealed by Joleon Lescott
By Ben Southby
Published 29/10/2024 at 00:01 GMT
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Joleon Lescott believes Rodri's consistency sets him apart from his rivals and helped him to claim the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The Manchester City midfielder became the first Premier League player to collect the prestigious award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Lescott insisted Rodri was a worthy winner: "He's one of a few players that is able to play to his maximum level week in, week out."
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Joleon Lescott has picked out what separates Rodri from the rest, after the Manchester City and Spain midfielder claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or award in Paris on Monday.
Rodri - who had a sensational 2023/24 campaign where he played an integral role in Premier League and Euro 2024 success - edged Real Madrid pair Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham to the 68th edition of the award.
Following the eagerly anticipated announcement, TNT Sports expert Lescott revealed the attribute which he believes puts Rodri above everyone else.
“I think his ability is something everyone can see and recognise, but the level of consistency he has set, I think he's one of a few players that is able to play to his maximum level week in, week out," the former Man City defender told TNT Sports.
“That’s probably the standout thing for me. We do see a lot of other players play to their maximum, but for me, not as often as Rodri.
"His importance to both Man City and Spain has been evident in the trophies they've won and the bar they’ve set.
“A testament to him in regard to what he’s achieved, so congratulations to him and I hope he enjoys this honour in such a tough time for him individually, being injured.”
Rodri accepted his award while on crutches, having suffered a knee injury in September that is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Following an era which was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo battling it out for the big individual prizes in football, from 2008 to 2017, only Luka Modric and Karim Benzema have claimed the Ballon d'Or trophy since.
Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or while at Manchester United and Rodri has become the first player in 16 years from England’s top flight to claim the award.
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“[It’s a] huge honour for Rodri to win it, but not just Rodri, also for Manchester City, the Premier League,” Lescott added.
“I think he’s the first [Premier League player] since Ronaldo in 2008 to win it, so I think everyone associated with him should take time to congratulate him and recognise this achievement.
“It’s unique, and it’s not something that you can just look past. To be recognised as the best player in the world in a field that is done by so many people is remarkable, and a testament to him as a person and his consistency.”
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