Rodri Wins First Ballon d'Or After Stellar Season with Manchester City and Spain

Rodri, the Manchester City and Spain midfielder, has been awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career, highlighting his significant contributions to both club and country over the past year. The 28-year-old played a pivotal role in helping Spain secure victory at Euro 2024 and was instrumental in Manchester City's treble-winning season, which included triumphs in the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

The announcement came during a ceremony in Paris, where Rodri was celebrated for finishing ahead of Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. and fellow teammate Jude Bellingham, who recorded the highest placement for an English player since Frank Lampard in 2005. This year's awards marked a historical shift, with neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo appearing on the nominees list for the first time since 2003, underscoring a new era in football excellence.

Despite suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September that will keep him sidelined for the season, Rodri expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to Spanish football and acknowledging the contributions of past midfield greats like Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. His remarkable achievements and influential performances have firmly established him as one of the top players in the world, earning him accolades and respect across the football community.