Manchester City midfielder makes history despite recent injury, becoming first Spaniard to win in over 60 years
In a remarkable turn of events, Manchester City’s Rodri was crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, beating out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who had been heavily favored. The midfielder’s exceptional performances for club and country — which included securing the Premier League title with City and a starring role in Spain’s European Championship victory — proved decisive for the prestigious accolade.
Rodri, arriving on crutches due to a recent ACL injury, graciously accepted the trophy, becoming the first Spaniard to earn the title since Luis Suárez in 1960. His win also makes him the first Premier League player to claim the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. During last season, Rodri played 34 league games, demonstrating clutch performance with critical goals that contributed to City’s title defense. His standout moment came in the Champions League final, where he scored the winning goal against Inter Milan.
Reflecting on the honor, Rodri expressed gratitude, saying, “With the players that surround me at City and in the national team, I’m proud to be elected best among such talent. I want to thank everyone who sees my value in the game.” He also noted his evolution as a player, adapting to the modern midfield role that requires a balance between defense and offense.
The absence of Real Madrid stars, including Vinicius and Jude Bellingham, stirred speculation about the Ballon d’Or results, especially given Vinicius’s extraordinary season, which included a Champions League and La Liga double with Real Madrid. The Brazilian star scored 24 goals and assisted 11, delivering key performances in European fixtures.
Rodri was presented the award by former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, with whom he shared a moment of appreciation for his journey and aspirations. As for celebrating with the trophy, Rodri quipped, “100% yes!”
The top 10 Ballon d’Or rankings included:
- Rodri – Manchester City and Spain
- Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid and Brazil
- Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid and England
- Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid and Spain
- Erling Haaland – Manchester City and Norway
- Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain (now Real Madrid) and France
- Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan and Argentina
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona and Spain
- Toni Kroos – Real Madrid and Germany (now retired)
- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich and England
Rodri’s win is a testament to his consistency, resilience, and the growing importance of midfielders in today’s footballing landscape.
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