Spain-(Sports Reporter): Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the Ballon d’Or award on Monday, outpacing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham to be recognized as the world’s best player.
On the women’s side, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati took home the prize, marking her second consecutive win.
Rodri, a first-time recipient, was pivotal in Manchester City’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title last season. His impressive performances also earned him the Player of the Tournament title at the European Championship, where he helped Spain secure their fourth title, setting a new record.
At 28, the Madrid-born player made history as the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthäus in 1990, and only the third Spanish player to win it, following Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suárez (1960).
Though Spanish league players have frequently dominated the Ballon d’Or, no Spaniard had won since Suárez, despite the country’s “golden generation,” which claimed the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros.
Rodri’s win is seen as a victory not just for himself but for Spanish football. As Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola described him, he’s “the best midfielder in the world,” whose unique abilities have elevated his club’s success in England and Spain’s prominence in Europe.
During the ceremony, Rodri remarked, “This win is for Spanish football and for the countless players, like Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas, and Busquets, who deserved this recognition but didn’t receive it. Today, it’s for Spanish football and for midfielders.”
“Many friends have messaged me saying this is a win for football itself, for bringing recognition to midfielders whose contributions are often in the shadows.”
Rodri’s win marks the first time since 2008 that the Ballon d’Or was awarded to someone other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, neither of whom made the final 30-man nominee list this year — a first since 2003. Ronaldo, a five-time winner and the last Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or in 2008, was also omitted last year after moving to Saudi Arabia. Messi, the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner with eight total wins, was also left out despite Argentina’s Copa America win.
Rodri has experienced only one defeat over the last 18 months: City’s unexpected FA Cup final loss to Manchester United last season.
Rodri’s teammate, Lamine Yamal, earned the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player after helping Spain achieve a flawless Euro 2024 qualification.
In the women’s awards, Bonmati claimed her second consecutive Ballon d’Or, while Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her dedication to advocating women’s rights in football and her bold stand against sexism in sports.
Real Madrid, anticipating Vinicius would not win, boycotted the event. However, the club was still named men’s club of the year, with manager Carlo Ancelotti winning men’s coach of the year. Barcelona’s women’s team was honored as the women’s best club after winning both the European and Spanish leagues last season.
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