Rodri capped a fine season by winning football’s ultimate individual prize.
At a glitzy award do in Paris, in front of his peers – some of them at least – the Manchester City and Spain midfielder won the Ballon d’Or.
Many had expected Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr to win, but he and his Real Madrid teammates opted to stay away from the do.
The award is for the previous season, not the previous year, and should go to the best player during that specific period, not the best player in the world.
Rodri, who ended the 2023/24 season as a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, was a worthy winner.
The 28-year-old beats Vinicius Jr, who came second and Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham to the prize.
Speaking in Spanish, Rodri said: “I have so many things to thank people for. First of all to France Football and to UEFA for giving me this award. I would like to thank those who voted for me and put their trust in me. Today is a very special day for me and for my family, my country.
“I would like to thank the most important person in the world for me, my girlfriend Laura. Today is our anniversary and without her things wouldn’t have been the same. Thank you.
“Also my family, of course. The values they have taught me and all they represent in me, for having taught me the right steps to take and for helping be become the man I am…
“I don’t want to forget my team-mates, I understand it is a group game. Manchester City is so special, I know I wouldn’t make this without you. For me it is the best club in the world, and thanks to them things happen much easier.
“The national team and Luis (de la Fuente, coach), for trusting me for so long, I have to mention my team-mates with whom we won the Euros. This is not just for me but for Spanish football.”
And his win marks a first for a Premier League based player since 2008 when a 23-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo won it thanks to his blistering season that brought 42 goals across all competitions and saw 77 of the 96 journalists vote for him.
Not as many big names in the game were present at the Theatre du Chatelet with Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Andriy Lunin and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti all spending the night in the Spanish capital instead.
The Real Madrid winger’s reported snub comes just days after he reportedly taunted Barcelona midfielder Gavi over the award.
According to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Gavi held up four fingers in front of Vinicius to remind him of the scoreline in Saturday’s El Clasico.
Vinicius reportedly responded: “Yes, yes, but on Monday I’m going for the Ballon d’Or.”
The reason for the boycott hasn’t been made clear, however, Vinicius Jr’s actions have been met with some criticism.
“Ok, Vini,” Spanish football expert Guillem Balague wrote on X.
“You haven’t won, but you should show some respect for the winner, the biggest sign of sportsmanship.
Full 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award rankings
- Rodri (Manchester City and Spain)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid and Brazil)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid and Spain)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/Paris Saint-Germain and France)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan and Argentina)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid and Germany)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City and England)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen and Germany)
- Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/Barcelona and Spain)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta and Nigeria)
- Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao and Spain)
- Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland)
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid and Uruguay)
- Emi Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina)
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal and Norway)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan and Turkey)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England)
- Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid and Germany)
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City and Portugal)
- William Saliba (Arsenal and France)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea and England)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)
- Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen and Spain)
- Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund and Germany)
- Artem Dovbyk (Dnipro/Girona/Roma and Ukraine)
“Nobody from Real Madrid travelling to Paris today for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.”
The winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or was won by Barcelona and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmati, who wins it for a second year running.
Other awards were handed out on the night with England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane sharing the Gerd Muller Trophy, an award which recognises the best striker in the game, with Mbappe.
As well as Kane, there was more success for English nationals with Emma Hayes winning the best women’s coach award, the first of its kind. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti won the men’s coach award.
There was more Premier League success with the Yachine Trophy as Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who helped Argentina to Copa America glory in the summer, claiming the prize for a second year running.
The Kopa Trophy, an award for the best young player was won by Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona were named as the Women’s Club of the Year, whilst Real Madrid took the title of Men’s Club of the Year.