The 2024 Ballon d’Or victory by Rodri Hernandez has sparked a mix of reactions within Spain, with some controversy surrounding the award.
Olmo: Rodri’s Ballon d’Or is a Celebration for Spanish Football
However, Rodri’s international teammate, Dani Olmo, has stepped forward to support him, emphasizing the broader significance of this achievement for Spanish football.
Rodri’s successful campaign, highlighted by his pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season and his stellar performances in the European Championship, led to him being honored as the world’s best player.
Despite this, there were voices within Spain advocating for Vinicius Junior, believing the Real Madrid star was more deserving.
Rodri addressed the controversy, calling the reaction “strange” and expressing his bewilderment at the lack of unity in celebrating his win.
Echoing Rodri’s sentiments, Olmo stressed that this award should be a moment of pride for Spanish football as a whole, marking the first time since Luis Suarez in 1960 that a Spaniard has lifted the prestigious trophy.
“The year he had, or the years he has had in the past, with the icing on the cake of the European Championship, for which he was chosen as the best player, he deserved it,” Olmo told MD.
“Seeing Rodri celebrating that moment with his family was very nice. What he said conveys what many of us feel: it is a Ballon d’Or for Spanish football. There were two beasts of world football that swept everything, and it is Spanish football that won.”
Olmo’s words highlight the importance of unity and recognition of collective achievements in Spanish football.
He believes that rather than fueling division, the nation should celebrate Rodri’s success as a testament to the strength and talent within Spain’s footballing ranks.
Rodri’s win is indeed a milestone, not just for him, but for Spanish football. It showcases the talent emerging from Spain and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
As the debate continues, Olmo’s perspective offers a reminder of the value of camaraderie and the pride that comes with such international recognition.
The Ballon d’Or controversy underscores the passion and high expectations within Spanish football.
However, as Olmo and Rodri’s accomplishments illustrate, it is also a moment for the nation to come together and celebrate a historic achievement.
