In a glittering ceremony in Paris, Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, crowning a year marked by both club and international triumphs.
His contributions were pivotal, leading Manchester City to the Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 victory, cementing his place as one of the finest players in the game.
On crutches due to a recent ACL injury, Rodri was assisted onto the stage by Didier Drogba, where he raised the prestigious trophy, visibly moved.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech delivered in Spanish, he reflected on the significance of the award for his family and his homeland.
“This is a very special day for me, my family, and my country,” Rodri said, thanking his partner Laura, to whom he dedicated the win on their eighth anniversary.
Paris, with its lights and applause, served as a fitting anniversary gift for the couple
Rodri took a moment to praise Spain teammate Lamine Yamal, who had earlier opened the ceremony by winning the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player.
“You will win one of these trophies one day, my friend,” he encouraged Yamal, a remark symbolising Spain’s dominant presence in European football this year.
Switching to English, Rodri spoke of his drive to improve: “I try to level up my game every day,” he said, his fluency impressing the audience without a hint of a Mancunian accent.
Addressing his season-ending injury, he added, “I’m focusing on recovery, enjoying time with family, and returning even stronger.”
In a light-hearted moment, Drogba asked if Rodri planned to sleep with the trophy. “100% yes,” Rodri quipped, hinting at the trophy’s newfound status in his life, much to Laura’s likely amusement.
In the final results, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. came second in the voting, with teammate Jude Bellingham securing third place and Dani Carvajal following closely in fourth, underscoring the strength of Spanish and La Liga talent at the event.