Ex-Real Madrid man Jese Rodriguez shares Ballon d’Or advice he gave Kylian Mbappe before joining Los Blancos
Former Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez once told Kylian Mbappe that joining Los Blancos will help him win the Ballon d'Or. The French superstar arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer on a Bosman move, following the expiry of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The 25-year-old joined the LaLiga champions as one of the finest players in the world right now. He has registered 10 goals and two assists from 19 games so far.
Rodriguez knows all about the rigours of playing for Real Madrid, having graduated from the academy and played for the club. He also spent four seasons with PSG, where he brushed shoulders with Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking recently, as cited by Madrid Universal, Rodriguez revealed that he advised the Frenchman to join Los Blancos.
“I had a couple of conversations with him before I left, he asked me what Real Madrid was like as a club and I told him it was the best club in the world and that if he wanted to win the Ballon d’Or he should sign for Madrid,” said Jese.
Kylian Mbappe finished fifth in the Ballon d'Or race this year. Rodri won the top prize, while Vinicius Junior finished second. Jude Bellingham also secured a podium finish.
How many Real Madrid players have won the Ballon d'Or?
Real Madrid are the most successful club in Ballon d'Or history, with a record eight players winning the award 12 times. Six players from Barcelona have also won the award a total 12 times.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award four times for Los Blancos, the most for the club. The Portuguese won the coveted prize for the first time during his stint with Manchester United.
The last player from the LaLiga champions to win the award was Karim Benzema in 2022. The only player in the current squad who has won Ballon d'Or is Luka Modric, who won it in 2018.
Other winners from Real Madrid include the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano (1957,1959), Raymond Kopa (1958), Luis Figo (2000), Ronaldo Nazario (2002), and Fabio Cannavaro (2006). Vinicius Junior was heavily tipped to join the list this year after a stunning 2023-24 campaign.
The Brazilian registered 24 goals and 11 assists from 39 games across competitions last season. He won the league, the Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana. However, Rodri, who won the Premier League with Manchester City and Euro 2024 with Spain, was adjudged the winner.