Rodri has been awarded the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Spanish player to claim the prestigious honour since 1960. Over the past year, he has played a pivotal role for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team, amassing 63 appearances with 12 goals and 15 assists. His achievements include winning the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, and Euro 2024, underscoring his exceptional contributions on the field.
🏆 The 2024 Ballon d’Or top 3️⃣:
1️⃣ Rodri 🇪🇸
2️⃣ Vinícius Jr. 🇧🇷
3️⃣ Jude Bellingham 🏴 pic.twitter.com/tWGVr1Rqra— 433 (@433) October 28, 2024
In his acceptance speech, Rodri humbly acknowledged his teammates, saying, “I understand that football is a group game. Manchester City, thank you so much, you are so special. For me, this is the best club in the world.” He also expressed gratitude toward his national team and coach Luis de la Fuente for his trust.
Behind Rodri in the rankings, Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham finished second and third, respectively, while Carlo Ancelotti earned the Men’s Coach of the Year award. Additional accolades went to Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, who shared the Gerd Müller Trophy for top goalscorer, and Lamine Yamal, who won the Kopa Trophy for best player under 21. Emiliano Martinez was awarded the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. The top 10 Ballon d’Or rankings also featured Erling Haaland, Toni Kroos, and Lautaro Martinez.