Manchester City midfielder, Rodri has been named the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner following a successful year for club and country.
He was handed the award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, organised by the French magazine France Football in collaboration with UEFA.
The 28-year-old won his fourth straight Premier League with City in May as Pep Guardiola’s side held off Arsenal’s challenge, winning their last nine games to clinch the title.
He also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
Rodri is the first player in Manchester City’s history to win the Ballon d’Or.
He is the first player from the Premier League to be crowned since Cristiano Ronaldo won in 2008 during his first stint with Manchester United.
He went on a world record 74 games unbeaten for club and country from March 2023 to May 2024, avoiding defeat (other than via penalties) until City’s loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Rodri becomes the second male player born in Spain to win the sport’s most prestigious individual prize, and the first since former Barcelona star Luis Suárez claimed it in 1960.
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.
Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or award for a second year running.
Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Muller trophy after both players finished last season with 52 goals, but only Kane was available to receive the award.
Rodri Beats Vinicius, Bellingham To Win 2024 Ballon d’Or Award is first published on The Whistler Newspaper