Rodri wins Ballon d'Or 2024

Manchester City superstar Rodri won the Ballon d’Or for the first time at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday (October 28). Real Madrid players Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham stood second and third in the rankings respectively. Leading up to the ceremony, it was reported that Vinicius Jr would win the prestigious award for the first time this year. However, as the day of the ceremony approached, reports suggested that Rodri would be the winner. In fact, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the Real Madrid entourage wouldn’t be traveling to Paris for the award ceremony.

Former Golden Ball winner George Weah handed the 28-year-old Rodri his first-ever Ballon d’Or. He was delighted after winning the award and said,

“Many of my friends have written to me to say, 'Football has won today!”

Rodri is the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or since 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo was the last such player to win the award and he did so in 2008. Rodri is also the first Manchester City player to win the esteemed award.

Rodri’s performance in the winning season

Rodri has won the Premier League four times and had an exceptional 2023-24 season. He recorded 12 goals and 15 assists (27 G/A) in 63 appearances for Manchester City and Spain together. For the club, he won the Premier League and also lifted the trophy in the UEFA Super Cup. Moreover, with Spain, the talented footballer won the 2024 Euros and was named the player of the tournament as well.

For Manchester City alone, Rodri, the defensive midfielder, scored nine goals and assisted in 14 of them in 50 matches. Overall, in 63 appearances last season, he only lost a single game, the FA Cup final against Manchester United. In the Champions League, the Spaniard scored only one goal but assisted in three in eight outings. But the City couldn’t win the title as they bowed out of the tournament after the 4-3 loss on penalties to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

As far as the ongoing season is concerned, he has played only three matches so far and is yet to make a major contribution to his club. Having won the Ballon d’Or now, Rodri will be keen on continuing in the same vein and playing a major role in City’s wins.