The Real Madrid winger’s latest hat-trick in his side’s 4-2 win against Borussia Dortmund was a reminder that he may be the outstanding player in the world on Champions League nights.

However, Rodri won the Ballon d’Or on Monday night — trouncing the likes of the Brazilian, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and Kylian Mbappe — who finished second, third, fourth and sixth respectively.

Frank Lampard told Rodri to his face that he is “the best midfield player” in the world.

Vinicius’ reaction to Rodri’s triumph was one that indicated that he was stunned he did not win the Ballon d’Or.

Scholes says “brilliant” Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is better than Vinicius Jr

Guardiola compared Rodri to Lionel Messi in terms of hpw key he is to Manchester City in comparison with the Argentine’s importance to the best Barcelona sides.

However, big names such as Toni Kroos sent digs to Rodri after he made history at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Paul Scholes has backed the Manchester City midfielder’s corner on The Overlap’s Fan Debate as he believes that he is a superior player to Vinicius, saying: “I think he is a better footballer than Vinicius Jr. Vinicius Jr will probably win you more games, I get that, he’d be more skillful but Rodri, I think he is a beautiful footballer.”

“I think Rodri’s a brilliant footballer. That position especially, that Spanish position, like where [Pep] Guardiola used to play and all these great players in there, [Sergio] Busquets, they make your team play brilliant football, so you have to be a beautiful footballer.”

Andres Iniesta also congratulated Rodri on winning the Ballon d’Or and felt his victory was “more than deserved.”

Lamine Yamal lauded Rodri as did Pablo Gavi as they felt he was the rightful winner of football’s most prestigious award.

Rodri was spotted singing his own chant after winning the Ballon d’Or as he is seemingly blocking out all the noise surrounding his name.

Pep Guardiola backed Rodri and claimed that much like Vinicius, he too was a deserving winner of the accolade.

Paul Scholes says Rodri is the greatest defensive midfielder in Premier League history

In the same episode of The Overlap, Jamie Carragher quizzed Paul Scholes about whether Rodri is the best defensive midfielder to have ever graced the Premier League.

Scholes believes that is the case, claiming that Roy Keane did not strictly play as a number six.

“Yes. I don’t think Roy [Keane] played that position.”

“Roy did everything as a midfield player.”

“Yeah but you associate him [Rodri] as a playmaker. He’s a playmaker as well.”

“He does everything.”

Considering Paul Scholes also played with the likes of top-class anchors like Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves apart from a more box-to-box midfielder like Roy Keane at Manchester United, Rodri will appreciate the retired maestro’s praise.