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Rodri’s Ballon d’Or Speech Pays Tribute to Barcelona Legends Manchester City’s Rodri dedicated the 2024 Ballon d’Or to three Barcelona legends: Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. He
Manchester City’s Rodri dedicated the 2024 Ballon d’Or to three Barcelona legends: Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. He credited them for his inspiration and how they molded his game. Rodri’s words ignited an instant debate, as many argued that his victory did not reflect his personal brilliance but was a result of the Barcelona philosophy.
The win sealed Rodri’s place among the elite footballers on the face of the world, but his words make it obvious that the effect of yesteryears’ giants continues to make its impact felt in this game.
Rodri’s win of the Ballon d’Or was the result of a fantastic season at Manchester City where he played a leading role during the treble-winning season, scoring a goal for the ages in the Champions League final. While Rodri shines so brightly, he used this moment to shift the limelight on others, attributing footballing legends to inspire him.
“This victory is not mine alone,” Rodri said. “The way I play, the way I see the game, it all comes from watching and learning from the best—Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets.”
His speech has been hailed as humble and sincere, though some fans and pundits believed that it belittled his own role in City’s triumph.
Rodri has been candid about his adoration for the Barcelona trio, but often mentions Xavi’s passing vision, Iniesta’s creativity, and Busquets’ positional intelligence as influencing the way he approached his game. All three players were instrumental in playing their part in Barcelona’s run during the late 2000s and early 2010s, changing the face of the sport with this possession-based football.
“I grew up watching them redefine the game,” Rodri explained. “The way they controlled matches is something I’ve always tried to emulate.”
But critics argue that this style of play by Rodri at Manchester City is more than just a mere replication of the ethos of Barcelona and Rodri has grown into an all-round modern midfielder by combining defensive solidity with goalscoring ability under Pep Guardiola.
The tribute by Rodri to the legends of Barcelona has received mixed reviews from the fans. Though some regarded his speech as an elegant expression of gratitude toward the players who had shaped his career, others felt that his words undervalued the player himself, especially after having a pivotal role in City’s treble-winning season.
As one of the fans on X said, “So good that Rodri is a humble guy, but give the man credit for what he’s done.” Another said, “Rodri is not Busquets but better than him.”
But this is where the question of how much credit and acknowledgment the modern player owes to his predecessors arises in football, and to what extent one needs to differentiate between those influences and his personal legacy.
Rodri’s words also show the long-term influence of Pep Guardiola, whose managerial career is very closely associated with the Barcelona playing philosophy. The same coach who led City to a treble helped develop Rodri, as he had done with Busquets in his days at Barcelona.
“Pep brought that same philosophy to City,” Rodri said. “What I learned from watching Busquets, I’ve been able to perfect under Guardiola.”
This is a link that seals the deal for Rodri in the eyes of some pundits. He personifies the tactical philosophy that Guardiola puts into the game.
Conclusion: Rodri’s Legacy—A Tribute or a New Chapter?
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or is a testament to his remarkable achievements, but it also serves as a reminder of the influence past footballing legends have on the sport. Paying tribute to Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets, Rodri has positioned himself as a bridge between generations, honoring the past while shaping the future.
But then again, how many discussions would continue as to whether he is depicted as winning the victory or individual brilliance through his idols. All that depends on how Rodri goes from here.
As the football world thinks back to the glory of Rodri and the Ballon d’Or, a question comes forth: Is he just an heir to Barcelona’s inheritance or does he make his road?
