Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was crowned Monday with the Ballon d’Or award awarded by France Football, the French football magazine, after winning the English Premier League title and the 2024 European Cup with his country’s national team, during the ceremony held in Paris, which was overshadowed by the boycott of Real Madrid. Spanish club Madrid is convinced that its Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior will not win the prestigious award.
Rodri, who climbed to the podium on crutches after undergoing cruciate ligament surgery that will keep him out of action for the entire season, said, “This is a special day for me, for my family and for my country.”
He added, “I try to develop myself every day in order to raise my level.”
He continued, “I believe that this award not only honors my victory, but it is also the victory of many Spanish players, such as Iniesta and Xavi (who did not win the title). It is a victory for Spanish football and for the symbolism of the midfielder.”
Rodri became the third Spanish player to win the prestigious award after Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Soares in 1960.
Rodri (28 years old) played a major role in Manchester City winning the English Premier League title last season for the fourth season in a row, and he was chosen as the best player in the 2024 European Cup after he contributed greatly to the Spanish national team winning the title for the third time in its history.
The decision to award the FIFA World Player of the Year award to the midfielder came as somewhat of a surprise as Vinicius Junior, winner of the La Liga and Champions League double, was the most prominent candidate recently. Although the award’s organizing committee decided to keep the announcement of the winner’s identity secret this time, it seems that news leaked to Real Madrid that Vinucis would not win and thus decided to boycott the ceremony.
Rodri received praise from his coach at City and compatriot Pep Guardiola, who said about him a while ago, “In his position he is the best. He can do everything. Quality, he reads the game, his mentality, and he is always ready.”
He added, “He is good at doing many things. He has presence and physical strength. He is a complete player,” describing him as a player who “cannot be replaced in the team.”
In addition to his passing and ball-winning abilities in midfield, the former Atletico Madrid player also has a knack for scoring crucial goals for both club and country. His goal gave Manchester City their first Champions League title in 2023, but he also scored important goals for Spain, such as the equalizer in the 2024 European Cup round of 16 match against Georgia.
“We have Rodri, who is a perfect computer, who manages everything, all the moments in a wonderful way. It is a big help for everyone,” said Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s European Cup-winning coach, with a major contribution from the midfield star.
Rodri plays a pivotal role in the teams whose colors he defends, and the best evidence of his importance is that Manchester City suffered the last 4 defeats in the local league when Rodri was absent. Rodri has not lost in his last 52 matches in the English Premier League, a streak that extends since February 2023. City is currently leading the English Premier League, but it suffered a severe blow when Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will force him to stay away from the field until the end of the current season.
Rodri was awarded the Best Player in the Continental Championship by the European Football Association (UEFA) after winning the title with Spain, and he won the English Premier League title with his team.
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