Rodri 'deserves Ballon d'Or more than anyone else'

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is one of the 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award.

French football journalist Julien Laurens, speaking on the BBC's Euro Leagues podcast, said: "Rodri has been the best player in the world for two seasons now. He's been outstanding in his position.

"He's not a goalscorer, he doesn't do nutmegs and skills and dribbling. But in his position, he is maybe the most intelligent player in the world right now.

"He's been super decisive - he scored in the Champions League final the season before.

"Overall, if you look at the past two years, Rodri has been outstanding for club and country, so for me, he deserves the Ballon d'Or more than anyone else."

Listen to the podcast episode on BBC Sounds