Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has won the men’s Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year – for the first time.
The 28-year-old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, is the first Spanish player to win the men’s award since 1960 and the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Rodri, who helped Spain win Euro 2024 in July, was awarded the prize in Paris on Monday.
He also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
Rodri, the first player in the club’s history to win the Ballon d’Or, claimed the award ahead of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was third – the highest an English player has finished since Frank Lampard’s second place in 2005.
Rodri is the third England-based player to win, following Manchester United’s George Best in 1968 and Liverpool’s Michael Owen in 2001.
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 Ballon d’Or recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world rankings.
Having helped Manchester City to the Treble in 2023, Rodri finished fifth in last year’s Ballon d’Or.
His continued success with City and his role within Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side has seen him become one of the most influential players in world football.
The holding midfielder went off injured at half-time in the Euros final against England, but he had already done enough to be named player of the tournament.
Rodri scored a career-best nine goals for City last season, including two crucial late strikes in Premier League games and a goal in the title-clinching 3-1 win over West Ham.
“Today many friends have written to me and have told me that football has won, for giving visibility to so many midfielders who have a job in the shadows and today it is coming to light,” added Rodri, who was presented the award by 1995 winner George Weah.
“I’m a regular guy with values, who studies, who tries to do things right and doesn’t try to follow the stereotypes, and even so I have been able to get to the top and it is thanks to all of you.”
Asked about the ACL injury that will rule him out of for the season, he said: “I am just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy the free time with my family and come back stronger.”
Source: BBC SPORT
