Rodri Makes History as First Manchester City Player to Win Ballon d’Or
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been crowned the world’s best footballer, claiming the prestigious men’s Ballon d’Or award for the first time.
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A Stellar Year
Rodri’s phenomenal 2023-2024 season earned him the coveted prize in Paris. The 28-year-old’s impressive record included:
• Euro 2024 victory with Spain
• Premier League title with Manchester City
• Uefa Super Cup triumph with City
• Club World Cup win with City
An unprecedented feat for Manchester City, Rodri becomes the club’s first-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
Beating Tough Competition
Rodri edged out Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr. to secure the top spot. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham finished third, marking the highest placement for an English player since Frank Lampard’s runner-up finish in 2005.
This achievement solidifies Rodri’s status among the world’s elite footballers, capping off an extraordinary year filled with trophies and accolades.
Real Madrid won the award for club of the year and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was the winner of the men’s coach of the year award, but there was no-one from the club present to receive the prizes.
It was reported earlier on Monday that Real Madrid were boycotting the ceremony after reports Vinicius would not win the Ballon d’Or.
“A very special day for me, my family and my country,” said Rodri, who appeared on stage on crutches after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September.
“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. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder.”
The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best performing player under the age of 21, went to Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal.
Yamal, who turned 17 in July, made 50 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring seven goals and seven assists.
He was part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side where his four assists in Germany matched the record for any player in a single European Championship.
The youngest player, goalscorer and winner at a Euros, Yamal was named young player of the tournament.
Ballon d’Or top 10
- Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)
- Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG/Real Madrid)
- Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)
- Toni Kroos (Germany and Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)
