Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, marking a career highlight after an extraordinary season.
Rodri’s accomplishments included leading both Manchester City and the Spanish national team to significant victories, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
The award ceremony, held on Monday in Paris and organized by France Football magazine in collaboration with UEFA, saw the 28-year-old graciously accept his trophy.
“A very special day for me, my family, and my country,” Rodri said.
“I’m just a normal guy who enjoys his sport and tries to be a good person.”
A Stellar Season for Rodri and Manchester City
In May, Rodri helped Manchester City secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title under Pep Guardiola.
With Arsenal posing a strong challenge, City clinched the title by winning their last nine games.
Rodri’s consistent performance made him the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
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Rivals and Reactions
Rodri’s main competition for the award was Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. After learning he would not win, Vinícius chose not to attend the ceremony, where he was a strong contender after Madrid’s recent La Liga and Champions League successes.
Madrid was still honored, with the men’s team of the year and Carlo Ancelotti named coach of the year, but no Madrid representatives were present to accept these awards.
Fellow Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga later expressed his discontent, calling the outcome “football politics.”
International Triumphs for Rodri
Rodri’s season wasn’t just remarkable at the club level; he was a key player for Spain, winning Euro 2024 and receiving the player of the tournament award.
His resilience on the field led him to achieve a world-record 74-game unbeaten streak across club and international matches from March 2023 to May 2024, with only a single FA Cup final loss to Manchester United.
Speaking on stage, Rodri dedicated the award to Spanish football and its many unsung heroes.
“Today is a victory for Spanish football and midfielders who work in the shadows.”
Injury and Future Aspirations
Unfortunately, Rodri is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury sustained during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.
Arriving at the ceremony on crutches, he commented on his recovery, emphasizing rest and quality time with family.
Other Notable Winners
The ceremony also celebrated Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal with the Kopa Trophy, while Aitana Bonmatí claimed her second Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé shared the Gerd Müller trophy for top scorers, and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez was honored as the world’s best goalkeeper.
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win highlights not only his skill and perseverance but also the broader impact of his achievements on Spanish football and beyond.
