Benítez and Vieira Praise Barcelona’s Gordon and Rodri at Ballon d’Or Gala

FC Barcelona Stars Anthony Gordon and Rodri Earn Praise at London Ballon d’Or Red Carpet

Two FC Barcelona players drew high-profile recognition on the red carpet outside the London Palladium for the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony. Anthony Gordon and Rodri received direct praise from former managers and football legends before entering the high-profile awards event.

The gathering brought together players, former athletes, and coaches from various eras to celebrate world football’s top individual honors. Amid the arrivals at the London venue, established figures singled out the two Barcelona squad members for their competitive paths and mental approach to the sport.

Rafa Benítez Highlights Anthony Gordon and His Everton Mentality

Rafa Benítez offered pointed praise for Anthony Gordon, whom he managed at Everton during the 2021-22 campaign. Benítez emphasized the winger’s drive to improve throughout their time together at Goodison Park. “What is most important in football is mentality. I have had Gordon and he was a player who wanted to improve and has improved,” Benítez stated on the red carpet.

Gordon developed through the youth systems of both Liverpool and Everton before making his senior debut for the Toffees in December 2017 at age sixteen against Apollon Limassol in the Europa League. After a loan spell at Preston North End during the 2020-21 season, Gordon returned to help Everton secure Premier League survival in 2022, earning the club’s young player of the year honor. Following a transfer to Newcastle United in January 2023 for 40 million pounds initially, rising to 45 million with variables, and a subsequent summer 2026 move to Barcelona where the club had previously rejected a 60 million pound bid from Chelsea in the summer of 2022, the English winger delivered two assists in his debut league appearance.

Patrick Vieira Applauds Rodri as a Ballon d’Or Finalist

Patrick Vieira turned his attention to midfielder Rodri, who secured a place among the ten finalists for the main award. Vieira expressed satisfaction that a player occupying his former position is competing for the sport’s highest individual recognition.

I am glad that a defensive midfielder, which was my position, like Rodri, is opting for these great prizes and for me that is a joy, I have followed his career a lot and it is deserved, Vieira said.

Rodri, age 30, born on June 22, 1996, entered the finalist voting following an extensive career highlighted by success with Manchester City and the Spanish national team, alongside his current campaign with Barcelona. Statistics show the Spanish midfielder has logged 534 professional appearances with 40 goals and 38 assists, maintaining a consistent presence in the Barcelona lineup during the 2026-27 season where he has recorded nine LaLiga matches, 607 minutes played, one goal, and a 7.42 average rating, alongside a total season tally of 19 appearances, 15 starts, 1,378 minutes, and a 7.40 average valuation, building on previous high-performance years such as 2023-24 with Manchester City featuring 48 matches, nine goals, and 13 assists.

Ballon d’Or Red Carpet Honors and Squad Impact

The London gala highlighted two distinct trajectories within the Barcelona roster: a winger newly arrived in La Liga and a midfielder who figures among the ten aspirantes for the global prize. While Benítez focused on the psychological foundation required to reach the elite level, Vieira pointed to the positional rarity of a midfielder reaching the final shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

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