Ballon D'or: Fans Want Man City Ace Rodri to Win Award After Emirates Humbling

• Manchester City midfielder, Rodri is among the players nominated for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award
• A section of fans contends that the City ace deserves to be crowned the winner of the award
• Rodri will face stiff competition from Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, who are the favourites for the accolade

A section of fans has backed Manchester City ace Rodri to win this year's edition of the Ballon d'Or award following the club's Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Rodri was not part of the City squad that took on the Gunners during the thrilling Sunday cracker.

The midfielder was ruled out of the trip after he was sent off for an altercation with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White on September 24.

According to Sky Sports, Rodri was handed a straight red card for violent conduct, ruling him out of three domestic fixtures, including the Arsenal trip.

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City and Arsenal looked set to settle for a goalless draw during their weekend meeting, only for Gabriel Martinelli to come off the bench to net the winner with four minutes left on the clock.

The Mirror reports that Martinelli's goal condemned City to their second successive league defeat, having previously lost 2-1 to Wolves.

Rodri backed to win the Ballon d'Or

City's struggles in the absence of Rodri have now seen a section of fans suggest he should be crowned the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or award.

The midfielder has been an integral squad member for Pep Guardiola and played a vital part in helping the Cityzens win a historic treble last season.

His contribution to the team has a number of fans suggesting he deserves to win the lucrative award.

@WelBeast posted:

"Erling Haaland is not who he thinks he is. Give the Ballon d'Or to Rodri if it must go to a treble winner."

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@Trujista argued:

"Nah, seriously after watching what this team is like without Rodri, I’m telling you a Ballon D’or isn’t enough for the work he does. The entire team need to give him a portion of their weeks wages from today."

@markgoldbridge added:

"Rodri is some player. If awards were given out properly he'd be a strong contender for Ballon d'or."

@laligafrauds concluded:

"There isn’t a single good or valid reason why Rodri doesn’t deserve to win the Ballon d’Or. What a goal man!"

Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland have widely been touted as the firm favourites to win the coveted award.

The duo enjoyed a successful football calendar year, with Messi helping Argentina lift the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last December.

Man City set unwanted record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Manchester City setting an unwanted record following their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola and his troops have endured a shaky run of form in recent days, having lost three of their last four matches across all competitions.