Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, simply known as Rodri has been named the world’s best football player, winning the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or award in a ceremony in Paris, France, yesternight Monday October 28.
The 28-year-old outpaced Brazil’s Vinicius Jr. and England’s Jude Bellingham- both from Real Madrid to claim the coveted honor.
During the ceremony, Rodri dedicated his victory to Spanish football, acknowledging the contributions of legendary players such as Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Iker Casillas, and Sergio Busquets.
“Today is not a victory for me; it is for Spanish football… It is for Spanish football and the figure of the midfielder,” he said.
An Exceptional Year
Rodri’s outstanding performance was instrumental in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024 and helped Manchester City secure the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup. His success at the Ballon d’Or is significant because it is the time a Spanish player has won in 60 years since Luis Suárez in 1960.
While players from the Spanish league have largely dominated the award, no Spaniard has won since Suárez, despite the “golden generation” that brought home the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros.
Rodri’s role as a holding midfielder has been crucial to Manchester City’s success. It demonstrates his ability to control the game’s tempo and score vital goals. City coach Pep Guardiola once called him “the best midfielder in the world.”
Rodri is now the third player, after Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema, to break the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo dominance since 2008. Neither Messi nor Ronaldo made the final 30-man nominee list this year, showing a shift in the football generations has occurred.
Other Award Winners
In addition to Rodri, other winners included:
– Aitana Bonmatí, who won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year.
– Lamine Yamal, recipient of the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player.
– Jennifer Hermoso, who was involved in a kiss controversy with Luis Rubiales after the 2023 Women’s World Cup victory, was awarded the Socrates Award for advocating women’s rights in football.
– Emma Hayes was awarded the best female coach Award for leading the USA women national to several world cup victories.
– Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé shared the Gerd Müller Trophy for top goalscorer.
A New Era in Football
Rodri’s win also signifies another era in football, where midfielders are finally being recognized for their critical roles. He acknowledged this in his acceptance speech: “Today, many friends have written to me and told me that football has won, for giving visibility to so many midfielders who work in the shadows, and today it is coming to light.“
His dedication to the sport and humility make him a worthy winner. Looking ahead, Rodri plans to continue inspiring young Spanish footballers to solidify his legacy.
Rodri is currently on the road to recovery from an ACL injury, which will keep him sidelined for the season. However, his determination and resilience will undoubtedly help him return stronger.
Protests and Discontent
But Rodri’s triumph as the Ballon d’Or did not go down well with everyone. Real Madrid of Spain boycotted the ceremony, following rumors that Vinicius Jr. would not win the Ballon d’Or.
The decision to award the trophy to Rodri rather than favorites Vinicius Junior or Jude Bellingham faced backlash, particularly from Real Madrid fans, igniting much controversy and firestorm online.
Despite the team winning the Club of the Year award and their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, being named Men’s Coach of the Year, no club representatives from Real Madrid were present to accept the awards.
Content creators and bloggers expressed their anger at Vinicius’s sidelining, with some staging protests on the red carpet. Even Vinicius himself weighed in and broke his silence: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” he posted on his X.
Nevertheless, the ceremony continued, and Rodri arrived with his girlfriend, Laura Iglesias.
The Ballon d’Or organizers insisted that the winner was unknown before the event, but insiders from Real Madrid described the decision as a “historic robbery.”
The club said they would no longer recognize the Ballon d’Or, citing a lack of respect for their players.
Top 10 Ballon d’Or 2024 Contenders
- Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)
- Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG/Real Madrid)
- Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)
- Toni Kroos (Germany and Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)
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