Declan Rice
Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Gabriel have emerged as standout candidates for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, according to former Gunner Anders Limpar. Limpar believes that both players have showcased exceptional performances, with Rice being described as the “engine” of the team. Martin Odegaard, another key player, would have been in contention had it not been for his injury setbacks.
Anders Limpar said: “The Ballon d’Or will be between two Arsenal players this year – Declan Rice, who is the engine, and Gabriel. Martin Odegaard should be up there but he has struggled a little bit whereas Declan has been performing week in, week out. Gabriel has been a little injured, Declan has not. But up to this point, it is Declan Rice. He is the true captain for me. He is the true engine of this Arsenal team. He makes the whole team run. You can see that they rely on him.”
Despite the accolades, Rice has made it clear that his primary focus is on securing silverware for Arsenal rather than individual awards. He expressed his sentiments in a previous interview, emphasizing the importance of team success over personal accolades.
Declan Rice said: “It’s unreal, obviously. You want to be involved in those conversations. They’re the right ones to be involved in. But also you see the recent Ballon d’Or winners, what they’ve won during their season. Hopefully, we can have a successful season and I can be involved in those conversations. That would be amazing. If not, that’s not something I am setting my eye on. I really want the team to do well first.”
Rice and Gabriel are set to feature in Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League round of 16 match against Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal has been in exceptional form, having won all their league-phase games and finishing at the top of the standings with 24 points. The north London club is among the favorites to advance further in the competition, showcasing the strength and depth of their squad.
The focus on team success over individual accolades reflects the ethos instilled by manager Mikel Arteta, who has emphasized collective achievements as the pathway to individual recognition. With Arsenal’s current trajectory, both Rice and Gabriel have the potential to be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or while contributing to the club’s pursuit of glory.
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