Declan Rice might not be the traditional type of footballer who wins a Ballon d’Or but Theo Walcott believes there’s reasons why he needs to be in the conversation.
Rice has been the heartbeat of the Arsenal team this season and has added both goals and assists regularly to his game.
Indeed, because of that form, former Gunners forward Theo Walcott believes Rice is right in the mix.
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Theo Walcott explains why Declan Rice can win the Ballon d’Or
Over the years, we’ve become accustomed to players like Ronaldo or Messi winning this award which, in turn, normalises the more attacking players winning it.
However, speaking on the subject, Theo Walcott has claimed Declan Rice can buck the trend.
“I always look at Ballon d’Or players, a lot of people would look at him as the forward players, but he does so much more than anyone sees,” Walcott told TalkSPORT.
“And it’s the bits that no one sees, right? But he’s generally everywhere, his attitude. I think it’s really important his way he is off the field as well. I think that plays his role. I really do because he’s a role model to young children.
“I mean, my son absolutely loves him like myself, but that’s kind of credit to him and how he’s been brought up and how he’s even taken all this on. I mean, he’s a captain without actually being a captain for me.”
Midfielders who have won the Ballon d’Or in recent times
With Ronaldo and Messi being so dominant, it’s often taken a stunning season from someone else to get the trophy won.
Most notably in recent times, Man City star Rodri bucked the trend when he won it a few years back.
Prior to that, though, we have to go all the way back to 2019 and Luka Modric for the last time a midfield player won the famous award.
Before that, it’s an even longer stretch, with Kaka winning it in 2004 and Fabio Cannavaro being one of the only defenders to win it the year prior.
If Rice is to capture the Ballon d’Or, then the achievement in itself should not be underestimated.
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