Rodri believes Spain team-mate and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Eighteen-year-old Yamal is preparing for his first World Cup with Spain after helping Barca win back-to-back LaLiga titles.
Yamal scored 16 goals in LaLiga 2025-26; only David Villa in 2010-11 (18) has scored more goals for Barca in a single season in the competition in the 21st century among all their Spanish players.
Aged 18 years and 248 days, Yamal also became the youngest player to score 10 goals in Champions League history, surpassing Kylian Mbappe’s previous record set in 2017 (18 years, 350 days).
Spain are now one of the favourites to win the World Cup, and victory on the global stage could see Yamal become a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri won the award in 2024, and the Manchester City midfielder has backed his compatriot to do the same in the future.
“He’s already a star, but with the future he has ahead of him, it’s impressive,” Rodri told DAZN about Yamal.
Despega un equipo.
Vuela un país.#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/lbQQG5ITKr— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 5, 2026
“One day he’ll win the Ballon d’Or, he’s a beast. He’s a spectacular guy.
“I have a very good relationship with him. People don’t know him that well. I would encourage people to get to know him. He’s a fantastic guy.
“He’s incredibly mature. In some ways, he has a somewhat distorted image. He’s a fantastic kid. He has amazing values for his age. Very focused, very mature.
“Let’s not forget he’s 18, just like we all were. I’m happy because he’s growing so much.”
Spain face Peru in their final warm-up game before opening their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15.
La Roja will also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stages, with Yamal set to recover from injury in time for their first match.
