Rodri tips surpseri favourite to win next Ballon d'Or with glowing endorsement

Rodri names his pick for future Ballon d'Or glory — and pulls no punches

Rodri, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, has turned heads with a candid and enthusiastic endorsement of a fellow professional, declaring the player to be "an animal" and identifying him as a prime candidate to claim football's most coveted individual honour.

The Spanish midfielder, who plays for Manchester City and won the award in [VERIFY: confirm ceremony year] following a standout season that included Spain's UEFA Euro 2024 triumph, made the comments during [VERIFY: confirm interview outlet, event, or press context]. His choice of words was unambiguous — high praise from someone who sits at the very pinnacle of the sport.

The player Rodri singled out was [VERIFY: confirm name of player praised], who has been in [VERIFY: confirm recent form, club, and any notable achievements]. Rodri's description of him as an "animal" is widely understood in football vernacular as a compliment referring to physicality, intensity, and all-round quality — not a casual observation but a mark of genuine respect from a peer.

"He's an animal," Rodri is reported to have said, adding [VERIFY: confirm any additional quote or context from the interview].

The endorsement carries particular weight given Rodri's standing in the game. His own Ballon d'Or win was not without controversy — [VERIFY: confirm whether Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony or any related details] — but it was widely regarded as a fair reflection of his influence over the previous season at both club and international level.

Rodri has since been sidelined with a serious knee injury sustained early in the [VERIFY: confirm season and approximate date of injury], raising questions about his own availability as a future contender. Some observers note that his willingness to champion another player may reflect a degree of realism about the timeline of his recovery.

The Ballon d'Or, organised by French publication France Football, is awarded annually and has seen its voting methodology revised in recent years [VERIFY: latest criteria]. The award remains the sport's most talked-about individual accolade, and speculation about future winners intensifies each season.

For now, Rodri's words are likely to add fresh momentum to the named player's growing reputation — and reignite a debate that rarely needs much encouragement.