Manchester City star named best footballer in the world as nine players make top-100 ranking

Manchester City can celebrate having the best footballer on the planet in another ranking of sporting talent, after The Guardian’s release of their top-100 players list.

The latest triumph comes after Rodri made history by becoming the first recognised defensive midfielder since German football legend Lothar Matthaus in 1990 to claim the illustrious Ballon d’Or prize earlier this year.

That victory for the Manchester City star came off the back of crucial roles in his club’s fourth successive Premier League title win and Spain’s victory at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, defeating England in the final.

And while the claiming of the Ballon d’Or left many at Real Madrid infuriated with Vinicius Jr overlooked, many within the game are appreciative of Rodri’s exceptional footballing talents, and that feeling has extended even further this week.

As voted for in a process confirmed by The Guardian this week, Manchester City global superstar is currently the best male footballer on the planet as he topped a top-100 ranking of global talent for the 2024 calendar year.

Accompanying the Ballon d’Or winner were eight other members of Pep Guardiola’s Etihad Stadium squad, as a further testament to the star-studded roster at the disposal of the legendary Catalan coach.

Here is how Manchester City featured in that ranking:

1st, Rodri

3rd, Erling Haaland

15th, Phil Foden

35th, Ruben Dias

36th, Kevin De Bruyne

40th, Bernardo Silva

45th, Josko Gvardiol

68th, Kyle Walker

94th, Savinho

Rodri remains sidelined at present for Manchester City in an absence that is showing across their results, with Pep Guardiola’s side on a run of 12 matches that has featured nine defeats across competitions.

With just one victory in that time, City now find themselves in 22nd position in the UEFA Champions League, and in 6th in the Premier League table heading into a very brief pause for Christmas.

But the chances of seeing Rodri play again for Manchester City this season are extremely slim, with many only tipping the Spaniard to make some sort of return for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer.