Ballon d'Or: Rodri Calls Player “An Animal” as He Announces Winner

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has expressed confidence that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal will soon win the Ballon d’Or.

Both players are part of the Spain national team.

Speaking to DAZN, the 29‑year‑old described Yamal as an “animal” in football.

Rodri, who beat Real Madrid’s Vinicius to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024, said of Yamal, “One day he will win a Ballon d’Or because he is an animal.”

“He is the present and future of Spanish football,” Rodri added.

“Players of that caliber, who are unique in the world, will always attract media attention, for better or for worse. But he is very mature and very focused, especially for someone only 18 years old.”

Yamal, 18, narrowly missed out on Ousmane Dembele in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.