2024 Ballon d'Or Winner: Rodri, Spain's Star Player from Manchester City
The highly anticipated announcement of the 2024 Ballon d'Or has concluded, and Rodri, the midfield maestro from Manchester City and Spain's national team, has been crowned as the best footballer of the year. Amid debates and divided opinions, the 28-year-old edged out Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior by just 41 points to claim this prestigious award. This historic win makes Rodri the third Spanish player to achieve this honor, following legends Alfredo Di Stéfano and Luis Suárez, and the first in 63 years.
Rodri in the cool looking
Who Is Rodri? Meet the World’s Best Footballer of 2024
Rodri embodies the modern footballer—a blend of exceptional talent and a professional attitude. However, reaching the pinnacle of winning the Ballon d'Or was no easy feat. His journey is a testament to perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and exceeding expectations.
From a young age, Rodri balanced his passion for football with academic excellence, as his family prioritized education. Whether spending a summer as an exchange student in the United States or commuting between university dorms and Villarreal's training grounds, Rodri always strove to excel both on and off the field.
Initially rejected by Atlético Madrid for being physically underdeveloped, Rodri’s fortunes changed as he rose to prominence at Villarreal. Atlético eventually paid €25 million to bring him back, only for Manchester City to secure him in 2019 for €62.6 million. Since then, Rodri has been pivotal in City’s dominance, securing four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and a UEFA Champions League, among other honors.
Rodri's Playing Style
Rodri's playing style is as versatile as it is unique. Handpicked by Pep Guardiola, he is the linchpin of Manchester City’s midfield, comparable to Sergio Busquets' transformative role at Barcelona. His responsibilities include defensive shielding, dictating tempo, and initiating attacks, combining the roles of an Anchor Man, Deep-Lying Playmaker, and Carrilero.
With his towering physique, Rodri excels in aerial duels and physical battles, while his Spanish technical finesse and tactical awareness allow him to orchestrate plays with pinpoint accuracy. Recently, he has added long-range scoring to his repertoire, proving instrumental in City's success. Although not the fastest player, his efficiency and intelligence more than compensate for his lack of blistering speed.
The name list of nominations of 2024 Ballon d'Or
Who Are the Top 10 Players in the 2024 Ballon d'Or Rankings?
The 2024 Ballon d'Or featured 30 nominees competing for the title of the year's best male footballer. The Inplay Matrix evaluated performances from August 2023 to July 2024, considering both club and international achievements under three criteria: individual performance, team accomplishments, and fair play. Votes were cast by journalists from the top 100 countries in the men's football world rankings and the top 50 in the women's rankings. Here are the top 10 rankings for the 2024 Ballon d'Or:
- Rodri (Manchester City/Spain): 1,170 points
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid/Brazil): 1,129 points
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England): 917 points
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid/Spain): 550 points
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway): 432 points
- Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/France): 420 points
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan/Argentina): 402 points
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain): 383 points
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany): 291 points
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England): 201 points
Why Did Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior Skip the Ceremony?
Vinícius Júnior was widely considered a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or after a stellar season with Real Madrid, where he played a pivotal role in winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. In contrast, Rodri primarily won the Premier League, though his success with Spain at Euro 2024 boosted his chances. However, a lengthy injury at the start of the 2024/25 season affected Vinícius' standing when voting took place on October 28, 2024.
Despite his promising position, just hours before the awards ceremony in Paris, Vinícius abruptly withdrew. Reports from sports betting circles suggest he learned he had lost to Rodri, sparking frustration. In solidarity, Real Madrid boycotted the event entirely, including Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, and club president Florentino Pérez. The club expressed their discontent, alleging a lack of respect from UEFA and questioning the transparency of the voting process.
Rodri's contract with Man City will be expired soon
Will Rodri Stay at Manchester City or Return to Spain?
Rodri's contract with Manchester City is set to expire in the summer of 2027. However, uncertainty looms in the modern football landscape, especially with Manchester City facing over 115 financial rule violation charges. The Premier League’s verdict, expected in early 2025, could result in severe penalties, including relegation. This situation has caught the attention of Real Madrid, who are reportedly interested in pursuing the midfielder. Despite this, Rodri has expressed his commitment to Manchester City, even stating he would be proud to retire with the club, though he acknowledged the honor of interest from Real Madrid.
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Conclusion
The 2024 Ballon d’Or may have been filled with drama and controversy, but there’s no denying Rodri’s incredible talent and value. As one of the world’s finest midfielders, he continues to be a pivotal force for Manchester City and the Spanish national team. As the 2024/25 season unfolds, who will claim next year’s prestigious award? Stay tuned for every twist and turn with V9Bet—the top destination for sports betting and online casinos in Asia.
