Football NewsGiveMeSportUnverified source· 24 Sept 2026
Rodri Names Six Ballon d'Or Contenders, Snubs Mbappe
The Manchester City midfielder picked his own shortlist of players he believes truly deserve football's top individual prize.
Rodri
player
Who
Rodri
Topic
Ballon d'Or
Named
6 players
Omitted
Kylian Mbappe
What happened. Rodri named six players he believes 'actually deserve' to win the Ballon d'Or, with Kylian Mbappe notably absent from his list.
- Rodri said every player he named 'absolutely deserves' the award.
- Mbappe was not the only big name left off the shortlist.
“Every one of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d'Or”
— Rodri
Rodri's picks add to the debate over who should win the next Ballon d'Or.
In this story
More to read
CaughtOffside
Rodri explains his stance over financial charges facing Man City despite reported guilty verdict
GiveMeSport
Rodri Breaks Silence on Man City's Guilty Verdict
The Guardian
Rodri insists Manchester City ‘deserved’ success despite FFP guilty verdict
Daily Mail Football
Rodri issues defiant response to Man City being found guilty of vast majority of Premier League rule break charges as former star insists he 'believes' in the club despite verdict
