Ramsdale's Heartfelt Tribute to Rice After Ballon d'Or Nod

Arsenal Aaron Ramsdale shows Arsenal true colours with heartfelt Declan Rice message Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice were close while Arsenal teammates, a relationship that already existed from their time together while with the England national team footballlondon Bookmark Share Comments Arsenal By Matthew Abbott 17:30, 8 AUG 2025 Bookmark Aaron Ramsdale has sent Declan Rice a heartfelt message (Image: Getty Images) Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Aaron Ramsdale has told Declan Rice he is proud of the Arsenal midfielder for receiving a Ballon d'Or nomination this year. Rice came 26th last year, receiving five points thanks to a sixth-place vote from Juha Kanerva, the journalist representing Finland. However, his ballot was one of three that did not include the presumptive winner, Vinicius Jr, in the top ten. After being singled out for that omission, Kanerva clarified it was a "technical error" and claimed he would step down from the position. He also had William Saliba at eight, but neither Bukayo Saka nor Martin Odegaard made it. This year, Rice is the only Arsenal player shortlisted for their performances in red last season. Viktor Gyokeres is also a nominee for his performances at Sporting CP before moving to north London this summer. Ramsdale has since responded to his former teammate's nomination. "That's it right there (red heart emoji) proud of you bro," the caption on his Instagram story post reads. The goalkeeper has previously talked up Rice after his two free-kick goals against Real Madrid . "I've seen him hit the second one before, but I've never seen him hit the first one,' Ramsdale said. "I would be a little bit critical of the wall, but he's still bent it around a yard outside the post, and it's come back in. The second one I've seen him do, I know he's got that in him, but do it after the first one, on that stage, it was a special night and I spoke to him after.' Rice spoke highly of his former Arsenal teammate earlier this year when asked to pick a dream five-a-side team from the current England squad. "I'm going Rambo [Ramsdale] in goal," he replied. "He's my boy, and he loves playing, like constantly; when he was at Arsenal, he just used to come for five-a-side all the time." This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sky Sports deal Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more. £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Football London Facebook X (Twitter) Comment More On Aaron Ramsdale Declan Rice

Aaron Ramsdale has sent Declan Rice a heartfelt message (Image: Getty Images)

Aaron Ramsdale has told Declan Rice he is proud of the Arsenal midfielder for receiving a Ballon d'Or nomination this year.

Rice came 26th last year, receiving five points thanks to a sixth-place vote from Juha Kanerva, the journalist representing Finland. However, his ballot was one of three that did not include the presumptive winner, Vinicius Jr, in the top ten.

After being singled out for that omission, Kanerva clarified it was a "technical error" and claimed he would step down from the position. He also had William Saliba at eight, but neither Bukayo Saka nor Martin Odegaard made it.

This year, Rice is the only Arsenal player shortlisted for their performances in red last season. Viktor Gyokeres is also a nominee for his performances at Sporting CP before moving to north London this summer.

Ramsdale has since responded to his former teammate's nomination. "That's it right there (red heart emoji) proud of you bro," the caption on his Instagram story post reads.

The goalkeeper has previously talked up Rice after his two free-kick goals against Real Madrid . "I've seen him hit the second one before, but I've never seen him hit the first one,' Ramsdale said.

"I would be a little bit critical of the wall, but he's still bent it around a yard outside the post, and it's come back in. The second one I've seen him do, I know he's got that in him, but do it after the first one, on that stage, it was a special night and I spoke to him after.'

Rice spoke highly of his former Arsenal teammate earlier this year when asked to pick a dream five-a-side team from the current England squad. "I'm going Rambo [Ramsdale] in goal," he replied.

"He's my boy, and he loves playing, like constantly; when he was at Arsenal, he just used to come for five-a-side all the time."