Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri made history by winning his first-ever Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Manchester City player to secure this prestigious title awarded to the world’s best footballer of the year. The 28-year-old, whose standout performances last season for club and country earned him widespread admiration, was awarded the honor in a grand ceremony held in Paris. Rodri’s remarkable achievements this season included helping Spain to victory in Euro 2024, guiding City to a historic Premier League title, and adding a UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup to his accolades.
Rodri’s win marks a historic milestone for Manchester City, as he is the first player from the club to ever capture the Ballon d’Or. This achievement further underscores the midfielder’s crucial role in his teams’ successes. He claimed the title ahead of Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr., with another Real Madrid talent, Jude Bellingham, securing third place. Bellingham’s finish was the highest an English player has achieved since Frank Lampard took second in 2005, underscoring a renaissance of English players on the global stage.
Real Madrid also made headlines as they swept the evening with notable honors, winning the title of Club of the Year. Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti, Real’s iconic manager, was honored as Men’s Coach of the Year. Surprisingly, no Real Madrid representatives were present to accept the awards, as it was reported earlier in the day that the club had opted to boycott the event over speculation that Vinicius Jr. would not win the Ballon d’Or, despite his impressive performances throughout the season.
Rodri’s contributions on the field were nothing short of exceptional. He was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, where he played a pivotal role in the national team’s success and earned the Player of the Tournament award. Though he was sidelined with an injury at halftime in the Euros final against England, his earlier performances secured him the recognition he deserved. In addition to his national team success, Rodri’s club performances with Manchester City further demonstrated his value. Last season, he notched a career-high nine goals for City, including two critical late goals in the Premier League and the title-clinching goal in a 3-1 victory over West Ham.
On stage, Rodri appeared on crutches due to a ruptured ACL, which has left him out for the season. Despite this, he remained in high spirits and dedicated his award to Spanish football legends who had gone without winning the Ballon d’Or despite their contributions to the game. “Today is not a victory just for me,” Rodri said. “It’s for Spanish football, for so many players who deserved it but never won, like Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas, Sergio Busquets, and many more. It’s a victory for the figure of the midfielder.” He went on to express gratitude for the recognition midfielders received with his award, noting, “Many friends have written to me, saying football has won, giving visibility to midfielders who often work in the shadows.”
The night also saw other prominent players recognized for their achievements. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe were both awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy, sharing the honor as the best goal scorers after netting an impressive 52 goals each in all competitions last season. Kane, who recently joined Bayern Munich and has had a stellar debut season with the German club, received the award in person, accepting it with gratitude for his teammates and club staff. The England captain, who finished 10th in the Ballon d’Or standings, expressed pride in receiving the award from Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, saying, “Thank you to Bayern Munich, my teammates, and all the staff for helping me reach this milestone.”
As Real Madrid celebrated their Club of the Year award, Carlo Ancelotti was honored with the Johan Cruyff Trophy, recognizing him as the best men’s coach. Under Ancelotti’s leadership, Real Madrid won the La Liga title by an impressive margin, secured the Spanish Super Cup, and captured their 15th Champions League title, solidifying their position as one of the dominant forces in European football. However, their absence at the ceremony was noted, with no representatives present to deliver an acceptance speech.
Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal took home the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21, adding to his rapidly growing list of accomplishments. At just 17, Yamal had a breakthrough season, appearing in 50 games for Barcelona, scoring seven goals, and contributing seven assists. His impact extended to the international stage, where he contributed four assists during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, tying the record for most assists in a single European Championship.
Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez also made history by winning the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper, for the second consecutive year. Martinez, who led Aston Villa to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, played a pivotal role in Argentina’s Copa America success, keeping five clean sheets across six matches. Receiving his second Yashin Trophy, Martinez expressed his surprise and gratitude, saying, “Winning once is an honor; back-to-back is something I never expected.”
In addition to these individual accolades, the top 10 Ballon d’Or standings reflected the immense talent spread across global clubs. Following Rodri, Vinicius Jr., and Bellingham, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe rounded out the list, with appearances by Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, Lamine Yamal, Toni Kroos of Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
The evening was a testament to the ongoing evolution of football, as new stars emerge while established players continue to redefine excellence. Rodri’s triumph represents not only individual glory but a broader recognition for the role of midfielders who orchestrate play from behind the scenes. As Rodri takes a moment to heal from his injury, he leaves fans and aspiring players inspired, proving that resilience, hard work, and staying true to one’s values are essential to reaching the pinnacle of success.