The annual event that the Ballon d’Or has come to be speaks of the continuing importance of individuals in a team sport.
Whilst Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have, for better or worse, dominated the past near-two decades of the award, the tide has started to turn.
Other players are finally getting a look in and it’s quite unlikely that either of the two will win the award again. This year it was expected that Vinicius Junior would take the trophy home.
However, reports are emerging this afternoon that it will be Manchester City’s Rodri that is crowned.
Only last week, Trent Alexander-Arnold was saying in an interview with Sky Sports’ Harriet Prior that he wants to be the first full-back to ever with the Ballon d’Or because he truly believes he can.