Manchester City and Spain’s Rodri Secures Men’s Ballon d’Or Award

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has been honored with the men’s Ballon d’Or, an accolade recognizing the year’s top footballer, marking his inaugural win. The 28-year-old, who experienced only one defeat across club and international matches last season, is the first Spanish recipient of the men’s award since 1960 and the first Premier League player to claim it since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Rodri, instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory in July, received the prestigious award in Paris on Monday. He also achieved success with City, winning the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Rodri, the first player in Manchester City’s history to earn the Ballon d’Or, was chosen over Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham secured third place, representing the highest finish for an English player since Frank Lampard’s second-place achievement in 2005. Real Madrid also received the club of the year award, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year. However, no representatives from the club were present to accept these honors. Reports earlier on Monday indicated that Real Madrid was boycotting the ceremony following news that Vinicius Jr. would not win the Ballon d’Or. “A very special day for me, my family and my country,” stated Rodri, who appeared on stage using crutches after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in September. He continued, “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 is presented to the year’s outstanding footballer, determined by votes from a panel of journalists representing the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world rankings. After contributing to Manchester City’s Treble win in 2023, Rodri had placed fifth in the previous year’s Ballon d’Or. His sustained achievements with City and his pivotal contribution to Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad have established him as one of global football’s most influential figures. The defensive midfielder exited the Euros final against England at half-time due to injury, but his performance had already been sufficient to earn him the player of the tournament title. Rodri achieved a personal best of nine goals for City last season, including two critical late goals in Premier League matches and a goal in the 3-1 victory over West Ham that secured the title. “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, whose award was presented by 1995 winner George Weah. He further commented, “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.” When questioned about the ACL injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, he responded: “I am just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy the free time with my family and come back stronger.” Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe jointly received the Gerd Muller Trophy, an award for the top goalscorer, after each netted 52 goals across all competitions last season. With Real Madrid and France forward Mbappe absent, England captain Kane accepted the award individually, following an impressive inaugural season with Bayern Munich. “Thank you to my club Bayern Munich, all my staff, team-mates, for helping me score all the goals I scored,” said Kane, who ranked 10th in the men’s Ballon d’Or standings. He added, “It’s an honour to take this award from a club legend [Karl-Heinz Rummenigge] – thank you very much.” When Real Madrid was announced as the club of the year and Ancelotti as the recipient of the inaugural Johan Cruyff Trophy for best coach, no acceptance speeches were made. The ceremony proceeded without delay. Under Ancelotti’s leadership, Real Madrid clinched La Liga by a 10-point margin last season, along with the Spanish Super Cup, and also triumphed in the Champions League, securing their 15th title in the competition. Seven of their players were among those shortlisted for the men’s Ballon d’Or award. The Kopa Trophy, presented to the most outstanding player under 21, was awarded to Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who turned 17 in July, made 50 appearances for Barcelona last season, contributing seven goals and seven assists. He was a member of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, where his four assists in Germany equaled the record for any player in a single European Championship. As the youngest player, goalscorer, and winner at a Euros, Yamal was recognized as the young player of the tournament. Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez secured the Yashin Trophy, an award for the best goalkeeper, for the second consecutive year. Martinez, a 2022 World Cup winner, played a role in Aston Villa’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, leading to their first-ever qualification for the Champions League. The 32-year-old was also crucial in Argentina’s Copa America victory, achieving five clean sheets in six matches. “Winning once is an honour, back-to-back is something I never expected,” commented Martinez, who is the first player to win the goalkeeping award twice consecutively. The top ten players in the men’s Ballon d’Or standings were: 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)