Rodri Admits He Wants Ballon d'Or But Refuses to Campaign for Award

Rodri has made clear he won't be running any kind of public campaign for this year's Ballon d'Or, insisting that individual awards should be earned on the pitch rather than through what players say off it.

While several rivals have been openly pushing their own cases for the award, the Barcelona midfielder is taking a quieter approach, refusing to engage in any media push to boost his chances. The 30 year old doesn't believe talking to the press will influence the journalists who vote, preferring instead to let his performances speak for themselves as the ceremony approaches.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Rodri was asked directly about his low key stance and made clear it isn't down to a lack of ambition.

"Do you think I don't want to win it? No," he said, as quoted by MaxiFoot. "I know it's an award that doesn't depend on what we say. It depends on what you have shown on the pitch. I think nothing I say could serve to influence their decision."

He also stressed the role his teammates have played in his own success, framing individual recognition as something built on collective effort.

"Individual titles reward collective work," Rodri said. "It's a team sport, what players like me have achieved wouldn't happen without our teammates. I'd be delighted if a Spanish player won it. Of course, I'd love to win it, but it's out of my hands, so I'm not staking a claim to it."

The wait for an answer won't be long. The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set for Monday, October 26, marking the 70th edition of the award and, for the first time in its history, being held in London.

Until then, Rodri will continue focusing on his club form, looking to help Barcelona pick up more points in La Liga as he lets his performances do the talking in the buildup to the ceremony.