The midfielder has enjoyed a stunning season for club and country.
Spain won their first trophy in 11 years on Monday morning (AEST) after downing Croatia on penalties in the UEFA Nations League final.
For their star midfielder Rodri though, it was his fourth trophy in the space of a month as he capped off an incredible season for club and country that has left football in awe.
The 26-year-old played 56 games for Manchester City in all competitions this season and scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan eight days ago.
Rodri is also now the first player to be named man of the match in the Champions League and Nations League finals as he shows his class when the pressure is on.
Often playing as a defensive midfielder, Rodri is a player that often flies under the radar but his recent title-winning performances have quickly gained the attention of football fans around the world.
After his latest strong showing in the Nations League final where he played 120 minutes and converted a penalty in the shootout, plenty of supporters were left saying the same thing on social media.
Is Rodri now a genuine a Ballon d'Or contender?
With four trophies to his name this year alone, along with man of the match performances in two finals, the Spaniard certainly has to be up there.
While he might not be a prolific goalscorer like Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland, his work on and off the ball is finally getting noticed by fans who think he deserves to be recognised when the 2023 Ballon d'Or is handed out.
As noted by some fans, Rodri's latest achievement with Spain could well cut into the votes Haaland may have received for his own record-breaking season at club level.
That would in turn open the door for Messi to possibly claim his eighth Ballon d'Or having led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup crown in Qatar.
Karim Benzema took out the 2022 Ballon d'Or but struggled with injuries this season and isn't expected to defend the honour.
Rodri notably didn't even make the final cut for Ballon d'Or voting last year but it's safe to say his name should be right in the mix for 2023.
eggosa91
707
No matter what Their will still give it to Messi
FUTBALLOVE__
474
If he got to be a top contender all of a sudden cox he won Nations League again, that proves Messi is 100% worthy of that prize
delicreeps
462
this is what rodri fans truly want 🤣
MohsinH47
432
it doesn't matter, he and haaland will join the list of players robbed by fifa and media boy once again. . Media goat just ruined ballond'or value already. so no kne cares.
Jimmyswaggar
347
rodri has been criminally underated in the past few years but he is recreating his own story by becoming the first player to win the man of the match in both the UCL final and the UEFA nations league and later went on to win the player of the year award in both competition. he should surely secure the 4th place, KDB, Messi or Haaland for the winner.
Shmonny
344
Very sad🥺💔 as for Brozovic who've lost 2 finals in just a few weeks time💔...Better luck next time croatians you're still one my best midfielders Luka⚽️🎯🔥 you'll always be🙏
jaisoni
330
now suddenly, for some people, nations league is more important than the world cup.
Vuyabkmnps
15
No matter what Their will still give it to Messi
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Bro started crying already 🤣🤣
Podabilry
13
it doesn't matter, he and haaland will join the list of players robbed by fifa and media boy once again. . Media goat just ruined ballond'or value already. so no kne cares.
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Cristiano fans celebrates that Cristiano has the highest number of fans and followers on Instagram and social media as a whole but yet they still call Messi media goat! You have highest number of followers but Messi still more vote than you to win balloondor,may be greater percentage of cr5 fans are fake or ghost fans! Hahahahahaha siuuuuu! The question I always ask is ,why is it that Cristiano a goal machine has never break Messi 91 goals record? Can we say fifa helped Messi to robbed cr5 91 goals? Golden shoes is not by voting but yet Cristiano had 4 and Messi had 6, can we also say Messi stole it or fifa helped Messi to robbed it? Morroco knocked out cr5 from world cup did fifa helped Morocco to knock cr5 out? Unfortunately,Cr5 fans who claims winning mentality are already accepting defeat even before Messi is announced as winner.
MercurialAJM
9
No matter what Their will still give it to Messi
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then Ronaldo also robbed 3 Balon d'or
ReptilianFans
9
it doesn't matter, he and haaland will join the list of players robbed by fifa and media boy once again. . Media goat just ruined ballond'or value already. so no kne cares.
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it doesn't matter. Rodri is not that good yet. sorry.
LeoMessiAlex
8
it doesn't matter, he and haaland will join the list of players robbed by fifa and media boy once again. . Media goat just ruined ballond'or value already. so no kne cares.
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when you know that Sneijder had never been on top3 list, Lewandowsku desereved on 2020 ballon dor not 2021, In 2019, Messi was the best, in Uefa most goals and assits in UCL, Most goals and assist in Europe, best IFFHS playmaker award, abd then people said that Van Dijk deserved it more than Messi, but they forgot that Van Dijk, played in prine liverpool, because they had that year prime Salah, Mane, Arnold, Robertson and others, and the last Iniesta he is my favourite midfielder, Magic Man but he had only scored in final thats why because he was in top 3 list, i think When 22 year old player(Messi) scored 70+ goals in one year, no one could desereve ballon dor more than him.)
Andy_Mac
8
rodri has been criminally underated in the past few years but he is recreating his own story by becoming the first player to win the man of the match in both the UCL final and the UEFA nations league and later went on to win the player of the year award in both competition. he should surely secure the 4th place, KDB, Messi or Haaland for the winner.
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I liked your comment and now regret it after noticing that you chose KDB over Rodri in the Ballon d'or rankings [Crylaugh] Nah mate, Rodri over KDB for me.