Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, has received the Ballon d’Or after an outstanding season that included victories with both his club and the national team. The award was presented during a ceremony in Paris on Monday, organized by France Football in association with UEFA.
“It’s a very special day for me, my family, and my country,” Rodri expressed during the event. He noted that his lack of social media presence may make him less known to the public, adding, “I’m just a normal guy who enjoys his sport and tries to be a good person.”
At 28, Rodri completed a remarkable fourth consecutive Premier League title with Manchester City last May, as Pep Guardiola’s squad secured the championship by winning their final nine matches to fend off a challenge from Arsenal. He is the first player from the English Premier League to win the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Rodri’s main rival for the award was Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid, who chose not to attend the ceremony after learning he would not win. Jude Bellingham came in third in the voting. Vinícius had been a strong candidate for the 2024 men’s award after helping Madrid to a double in La Liga and the Champions League last season.
Real Madrid was honored as the men’s team of the year during the event, and their coach Carlo Ancelotti received the coach of the year award, although none of the club’s representatives attended.
Rodri played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, starting every match except for one and earning the player of the tournament award. He set a world record by remaining unbeaten in 74 consecutive games for club and country from March 2023 until May 2024, with his only defeat during that time coming in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
With this win, Rodri becomes the second male player born in Spain to secure the Ballon d’Or, following Luis Suárez, who won it in 1960. Although Alfredo Di Stefano won the award twice, he was born in Argentina. Additionally, Spanish women have claimed the last four Ballons d’Or Féminin.
Rodri accepted the award on crutches due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during Manchester City’s recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal. He is now expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. In relation to his recovery, Rodri stated, “I’m just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy my free time with family, and come back stronger.”
At the ceremony, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal received the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, and Aitana Bonmatí won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin. The Gerd Müller trophy for most goals in a season was awarded jointly to Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, while Emiliano Martínez retained the title of best goalkeeper in the world following his triumph in the Copa América with Argentina.