Rodri receives Ballon d’Or support amid Barcelona integration

La Liga President Javier Tebas has expressed strong support for Barcelona midfielder Rodri to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Tebas described the Spanish midfielder as the ‘Messi of Spanish football,’ citing his exceptional performance and role in controlling the tempo during the 2026 World Cup as key factors that outweigh recent injury concerns.

Following his high-profile €60 million transfer from Manchester City, Barcelona is managing Rodri’s integration into the squad with caution. Due to a demanding summer at the World Cup and a subsequent minor back procedure, manager Hansi Flick has utilized a gradual introduction, featuring him as a substitute in recent matches against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano.

While Rodri has completed an individualized fitness program and is training normally with the first team, the club aims to balance his availability with physical recovery to avoid further injury. He is expected to be in contention for his first start in upcoming matches against Valencia or Feyenoord.