NEW DELHI: In a historic moment for Spanish football, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was crowned the winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award on Monday. The 28-year-old Madrid native beat out strong contenders Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, to claim the coveted prize. Rodri’s exceptional performances were crucial in Manchester City’s unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title triumph last season.
Additionally, he was named the best player at this year’s European Championship, where Spain clinched a record-extending fourth title.
Rodri’s victory marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and only the third Spaniard to receive the honor, following in the footsteps of Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960).
Despite Spain’s “golden generation” winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros, no Spaniard had claimed the award in over 60 years.
Rodri’s unique skillset has been instrumental in Manchester City’s dominance in England and Spain’s resurgence on the European stage, earning him high praise from his coach, Pep Guardiola, who hailed him as “the best midfielder in the world.”
In his acceptance speech, Rodri emphasized that his victory was not just a personal achievement but a triumph for Spanish football and the often-overlooked role of midfielders.
“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,” Rodri said on stage at the ceremony.
“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.
“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.”
NO MESSI OR RONALDO
Rodri’s win is particularly notable as he becomes only the third player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award since 2008.
It also marks the first time since 2003 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo made the final 30-man list of nominees. In other categories, Rodri’s national teammate Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, while Aitana Bonmati secured the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year.
Jennifer Hermoso was honored with the Socrates Award for her role in the fight for women’s rights in football and her courageous stance against sexism in sport. Real Madrid, despite boycotting the ceremony in anticipation of Vinicius not winning the men’s award, was named men’s club of the year, with their manager Carlo Ancelotti receiving the men’s coach of the year award.
Barcelona claimed the trophy for women’s best club after both teams achieved the European and Spanish league double last season.