The Ballon d’Or Gala took place in Paris last night in an event which saw Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri come away with the top prize.
The 28-year-old’s former youth coach from his time in the Atlético Madrid academy has given some insight from his time working with Rodri as a youngster on what has helped the midfield maestro win the top individual prize in world football.
As per ElDesmarque, the man in question, Amadeo de la Morena, said: ‘He has always been well advised by his family and his agent. This has helped him to improve and achieve the goals he has set for himself.’
He also pointed towards Rodri’s quick reactions and decision-making, saying ‘he was a player who thought super fast‘ and that ‘before the ball reached him, he already knew where he had to position himself.’
Rodri won the award thanks to his great individual play but also his team achievements which saw him win the Premier League with Manchester City and Euro 2024 with the Spanish national team.
In the criteria for the Ballon d’Or winner, both individual achievements and team achievements hold equal weight, although some of the journalists who voted clearly didn’t get the memo.
One Salvadorian journalist for example placed Rodri in 7th place, whilst also placing eventual runner-up Vinicius Jr. outside of the top 10.
