Ederson risks angering Man City team-mate Rodri with his pick for Ballon d'Or winner
Manchester City star Rodri and Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Jr are both among the tips for this year's Balon d'Or but Ederson has sided with his Brazil team-mate
Ederson has given his backing to Vinicius Jr in the race for the Ballon d'Or - despite being club colleagues with Rodri, another of the hot favourites.
In late October the game's most prestigious individual accolade will be handed out with several names in contention. Vinicius Jr is among those in the hunt following a double success with Real Madrid last year, capped off by them claiming the Champions League.
The Brazilian, who continues to be hugely influential in the final third, scored in the European showpiece final at Wembley to see off Borussia Dortmund. He is aiming to become the first Brazilian since Kaka in 2007 to win the award.
Rodri though has put forward a serious case as Spain bid to win the Golden Ball for the first time. The Manchester City midfielder landed another Premier League title with his club and then went on to back that up on the international stage, winning the Euros in Germany.
Ederson has shared the pitch with both men but has put his weight behind his international team-mate. He told TNT Sports in Brazil: "I support Vinicius, he deserves it for everything he did last season."
He went on to add: "I support Vinicius, also for Rodri and whoever wins it, it will be a deserved award, but I think Vini deserves it for everything he did in the Champions League, for everything he did last season, but if Rodri wins, I will also be happy."
Rodri is currently sidelined through injury but was being talked up as a Balon d'Or winner prior to that. Rarely to players in his position claim the award, but his influence was such that many tipped him to land the accolade. In the aftermath of Spain's final win over England Rodri was named as the tournament's best player.
Often tournament success has been key when it comes to scooping the Balon d'Or. Vinicius Jr can show off the highest club honour after his victory with Los Blancos but Rodri then triumphed on the international stage leaving both men with a credible case.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the Euros: "For me Rodri is the best player in the world, please give him the Ballon d'Or now." Rodri himself played down the prospect of winning it as he also named Dani Carvajal as a contender - the Real Madrid defender winning the Champions League and the Euros.
"I'm going to be honest, I would like for a Spaniard to win it, I don't care who," said the City star. "It would be great. I've heard that [Real Madrid's Dani] Carvajal also deserves it. From an individual standpoint, I'm very proud of what I am doing and the recognition I'm getting."
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