Thierry Henry, the legendary former Arsenal and Barcelona forward, has voiced his opinion on this year’s Ballon d’Or, suggesting that Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri deserves to take home the prestigious award. Speaking during CBS Sports’ coverage of Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League action, Henry shared that while Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. is the favorite for the award, he feels central midfielders are often overlooked in the race for the top honor.
Henry, who has long admired the importance of midfield play, admitted that he once wanted former Barcelona teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta to win the Ballon d’Or during their peak years, instead of Lionel Messi, who dominated the individual award scene. Henry believes that players like Rodri, who are the heartbeat of their teams, don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
“I always wanted Xavi and Andres Iniesta to win it when they were performing at their best,” Henry said. “People forget about midfielders and what they do. They’re the heart of the team. Rodri is the heart of Manchester City. He may not have won the Champions League last season, but he led Spain to victory in the European Championship.”
Despite suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament that has sidelined him for the season, Henry believes Rodri’s performances throughout last year have solidified his claim to the Ballon d’Or. The Spanish midfielder played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s success at the Euros, but historically, players in defensive or central midfield positions rarely win the award, which is typically dominated by forwards.
Fresh off a stunning hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 6-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund, many still consider Vinicius Jr. a front-runner for the Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian winger has dazzled on the club stage, particularly with Real Madrid’s Champions League success last season. However, Henry pointed out that Vinicius’ lackluster performance for Brazil during the Copa America may weaken his case for the top prize.
“Vinicius Jr. didn’t perform at the Copa America, but is he still a worthy winner? Yes. He is outstanding,” Henry acknowledged. “For me, right now, as a forward, he is the best in the world. So he deserves it too.”
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher, weighing in on the discussion, shared Henry’s admiration for Vinicius, stating that his Champions League success makes him a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or. However, Carragher also highlighted the difficulty midfielders and defenders face in winning the award.
“I’d go for Vini Jr. They won the Champions League, which is the biggest thing you can win in club football,” Carragher remarked. “It’s tough for Rodri because of the position he plays. Very few players in his role, whether as a holding midfielder or a defender, ever win the Ballon d’Or.”
As the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches, the debate over who will claim football’s most coveted individual accolade continues to heat up. While the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Rodri remain in the spotlight, Henry’s endorsement of the often underappreciated role of midfielders brings a fresh perspective to the conversation.
Leave a Reply