Rodri with the coveted 2024 Ballon d'Or trophy he won for the best individual men's player in world football. Photo: X screengrab | @ballondor
Rodri wins coveted Ballon d’Or, first Manchester City player to do so
The classy midfielder beat back strong challenges from his Manchester City teammate and goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland, and the Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe
Rodri from Spain became the first Manchester City player to win the coveted Ballon d’Or on Monday (October 28) at the historic Theatre du Chalet in Paris. He became the first midfielder to win the award since Luka Modric in 2018.
The classy midfielder beat back strong challenges from his Manchester City teammate and goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland, the Real Madrid duo of Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe who has moved from Paris St Germain to Real Madrid this season.
This is the first time since 2003 that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo figured in the shortlist for the award that honours the best individual talent in world football.
Won trophies with club and country
Rodri inspired his club to win the English Premier League for the fourth successive year in 2024 and his country Spain to become the Euro 2024 champion. He excelled as a midfielder with his performances in both attack and defence, cementing his status as one of the top midfielders in world football.
Also Read: End of an era | Messi, Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or dominance comes to close after two decades
His statistics prove that he had an outstanding year. He scored 8 goals and provided 9 assists in Manchester City’s campaign in the Premier League. He completed 85.63 passes per match, and his 333 tackles and 150 interceptions shielded the defence from the opposing forwards.
Rodri played in all the 11 matches for Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament, and was one of the important players in its unbeaten run in the continental showpiece culminating in the win in the final.
World-class midfielder
The world-class midfielder won several trophies during the 2023-24 season, including the Premier League title, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester City. He enjoyed an amazing run of 74 matches without being beaten for his club and his country.
Also Read: Ballon d’Or 2023: Full list of Ballon d’Or winners from 1956 to 2022
Rodri has delivered consistent performances for Manchester City since he joined the club in 2019 and has become the fulcrum in the midfield. He is just 28 years old, and the world can look forward to a new era in world football with the rising generation of stars in Rodri, Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland.
