Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has identified Manchester City midfielder Rodri as the most important player in world football at present.
Ferdinand made the assessment on his podcast, where he praised the Spain captain as an outstanding player and professional.
“He’s won the Ballon d’Or, he’s won everything,” the Manchester United legend said of Rodri.
“If Barcelona gets him, they are a certified problem this year because Rodri is the most important footballer for any team on the planet right now and has been for the last few years. He’s a top player and a top pro.
Ferdinand also believes Manchester City face a difficult task maintaining their dominance after several successful seasons.
“I think Man City have a huge challenge this year in competing in the way they have in the last eight or nine years,” he said.
Rodri was part of Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, helping La Roja defeat Argentina in the final.
The 30-year-old Ballon d’Or winner has reportedly attracted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.
