Here is what Dani Carvajal has said when asked if Spanish players don't win the Ballon d'Or due to the lack of PR.

"It's true that Rodri could have easily won the 2023 Ballon d'Or. And in 2010, when Spain won the World Cup, a Spaniard deserved it. Or Michael Owen's 2001 Ballon d'Or, which could have gone to Raul."

It was Leo Messi to win the Ballon d'Or in 2010 and 2023. In 2010, the Argentine beat Andres Iniesta and Xavi for the top spot, recording an unbelievable 56 goal contributions in 53 appearances for Barcelona that season. The 2023 Ballon d'Or was mostly given to him thanks to his World Cup heroics.

Iniesta, Xavi, Rodri were all brilliant at the time, but the bar set by Messi was simply too high in all cases.