Real Madrid probably expected that everything would play out according to the old rules of the game. Because Vinícius Júnior was not voted the best footballer in the world, the club boycotted the gala in Paris. Although Real players finished second, third and fourth, Carlo Ancelotti was to be named Coach of the Year and even the team was to be named. And although a Spaniard, a native of Madrilenian, ends up in front. Maybe the Royals just want to protect the climate.
The old rules meant: the strikers win. The old rules finally no longer apply. The fact that Rodri wins the Ballon d’Or is a relief. The football world still knows: It’s not just about scoring goals. It is just as important to prevent them or to get them started. Strikers have always had an advantage in these elections, but over the past two decades others have had next to no chance.
This year, a continuation of the old rules would have been particularly irritating. The fact that Vinícius Júnior was even considered a serious challenger to Rodri says a lot about what went wrong recently. The Brazilian undoubtedly has outstanding skills and scored important goals. But it is not certain that he will fully exploit his potential, that he will become a team player and that he will at some point break the habit of swallowing.
Now this trend of simplifying football has stopped. The jury, on the advice of Pep Guardiola, Philipp Lahm and Thierry Henry belongs. In their opinion there could only be one choice. There is currently no other footballer with such standing and influence as Rodri, the style-defining midfielder of today and the head of the two best teams in the world.
His class is not always visible to everyone on the pitch and is always apparent at first glance. Others have finer feet than the 1.91 meter long Rodri. But he uses another central element: his head. He acts strategically, leads his teammates, and maintains the balance between attack and defense.
As a kind of intellectual, he also takes responsibility off the pitch. Most recently, he criticized the sports associations for overburdening the players with their many competitions. He appeared at the gala on crutches because he was seriously injured a few weeks ago. He probably won’t be back on the pitch until next season.
Rodri became European champion with Spain in Berlin in July. Under his leadership, the young team left the impression that this would not be their only title. With Manchester City he is a serial winner in the Premier League, the toughest league in the world. Only Real Madrid has recently been able to occasionally leave City behind.
The “6er” Rodri is a mixture of skill and physicality. He initially accompanies those with the ball, blocks their path to the goal, pushes them into a corner, and finally takes the ball from them. He rarely fouls. This is the high, beautiful, gentle art of defense.
He can also score. He scored the only one in the 2023 Champions League final. Bayern fans will also (reluctantly) remember the previous quarter-final and his long-range shot into the corner; Rodri managed it with his weak left foot. As in the European Championship round of 16 against Georgia, it was the important equalizer a few minutes before the half-time whistle.
Real Madrid probably expected that everything would play out according to the old rules of the game. Because Vinícius Júnior was not voted the best footballer in the world, the club boycotted the gala in Paris. Although Real players finished second, third and fourth, Carlo Ancelotti was to be named Coach of the Year and even the team was to be named. And although a Spaniard, a native of Madrilenian, ends up in front. Maybe the Royals just want to protect the climate.
The old rules meant: the strikers win. The old rules finally no longer apply. The fact that Rodri wins the Ballon d’Or is a relief. The football world still knows: It’s not just about scoring goals. It is just as important to prevent them or to get them started. Strikers have always had an advantage in these elections, but over the past two decades others have had next to no chance.
