Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has won the prestigious men’s Ballon d’Or for the first time, celebrated as the top individual honor in football. This marks the first time a Spanish player has earned the award since 1960 and the first Premier League player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Rodri, instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory in July and a key figure in Manchester City’s remarkable season, received the honor in Paris. His impressive record with both club and country last season saw him lose only one game, and he became the first player in City’s history to achieve the Ballon d’Or recognition. He secured the award ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., while England international Jude Bellingham finished in third place, marking the highest finish by an English player since Frank Lampard’s runner-up spot in 2005.
Appearing on stage with crutches after sustaining an ACL injury in September, Rodri dedicated the award to Spanish football. He expressed pride in representing a legacy of Spanish midfielders who never won the Ballon d’Or but achieved remarkable careers, mentioning players like Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Iker Casillas, and Sergio Busquets.
Rodri also commented on his approach to the game, stating, “Many friends have reached out, saying football has won by giving visibility to midfielders who often work in the background.” The midfielder emphasized that his journey to this point was built on values, education, and resilience, showcasing that dedication to the craft can lead to recognition at the highest level.
The Gerd Muller Trophy for top goal scorer was awarded jointly to England’s Harry Kane and France’s Kylian Mbappe, each scoring 52 goals across all competitions last season. Kane, who has had a successful first season with Bayern Munich, accepted the trophy alone as Mbappe was not present. Thanking Bayern Munich, Kane acknowledged the support from teammates and staff that contributed to his achievement.
For goalkeepers, Aston Villa and Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for the second consecutive year, making him the first player to earn the honor back-to-back. Martinez’s standout performances, both in the Premier League and Argentina’s Copa America triumph, solidified his position as one of the world’s elite in goal.
Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21. Yamal, who turned 17 in July, made 50 appearances for Barcelona last season, also setting records with Spain’s national team during the Euro 2024 tournament, where he led with four assists.
Real Madrid was recognized as Club of the Year, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti received the inaugural Johan Cruyff Trophy for best coach. Despite winning these honors, no one from Real Madrid was present to accept the awards, following reports that the club was protesting Vinicius Jr.’s loss in the Ballon d’Or voting.
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