Rodri has been awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or, claiming the prestigious individual honor in men’s soccer on Monday after an outstanding season. The midfielder helped Manchester City secure the Premier League title and contributed to Spain’s success at Euro 2024.
Rodri finished ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who placed second but did not attend the ceremony alongside his teammates, reportedly opting out after learning he would not win. Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal from Real Madrid took the third and fourth spots, respectively.
Rodri expressed gratitude, stating, “A very special day for me, my family, and my country,” as translated by BBC Sport.
Notably, last year’s winner, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo were both absent from the nominees list, marking the first time since 2003 that neither player was in contention. Rodri, at 28, is also the first male Ballon d’Or winner under the age of 31 since 2015.
Last year, Rodri ranked fifth in the Ballon d’Or standings after helping Manchester City achieve a historic treble. While his club performance in the 2023-24 season did not match that success, he remained a key player in Pep Guardiola’s squad, winning his fourth consecutive Premier League title, along with the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Rodri led the Premier League and Champions League in progressive passes last season and was noted for his significant contributions to his team’s performance. His absence in four Premier League matches resulted in three losses for Manchester City, highlighting his value; the team averaged 1.90 points per match without him compared to 2.37 with him.
Injured with a torn ACL on September 22, Rodri previously voiced concerns about player workloads in European soccer.
His pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory was a major factor in his Ballon d’Or win. He was named the tournament’s best player and was praised for his leadership in a young team. Spain’s unbeaten run included victories over Croatia, Italy, Germany, France, and England.
Rodri acknowledged the significance of his win for Spanish football, stating, “Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), Iker (Casillas), Sergio Busquets, so many others.”
In contrast, Vinicius Junior, who won La Liga and the Champions League, faced criticism after Brazil’s struggles in World Cup qualifying and their Copa America quarterfinal loss to Uruguay. His international form had been inconsistent, with only one goal in competitive matches since the 2022 World Cup.
Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri’s teammate at Manchester City, tweeted his support, stating, “From today on he is finally not ‘underrated’ anymore.” He further expressed his happiness that a defensive player won the title, asserting, “Rodri is the perfect midfielder and there’s no one that plays his position better than he does.”
