Rodri, the star of Manchester City and the Spanish national team, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, expressed his hope to see the award this year in the hands of one of his teammates, mentioning Pedri and Lamine Yamal as the top contenders.

Rodri said: "This year I will watch the ceremony on TV, but I hope a teammate wins it, whether it’s Lamine or Pedri or anyone else, I will be happy. It’s a football celebration and I hope the best wins it."

He continued: "If Pedri or Lamine wins it, it will be the first time in history that Spain achieves two consecutive Ballon d'Ors, it would be amazing and would speak to the strength of Spanish football during this period."

Rodri concluded his talk by saying: "I hope that happens and that we achieve more in the future, because we are living a wonderful moment in Spanish football."