Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the Men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday after a remarkable season that included winning his fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024.
His win surprised many, especially as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was widely considered the favorite after helping his team secure both the La Liga and Champions League titles.
In protest over what they viewed as a snub to Vinicius, Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in Paris.
Addressing the boycott, he remained diplomatic, stating, “They have their decision… I just focus on my club and my team-mates.”
Despite claims of the winner’s identity being kept secret, rumors leaked ahead of the event.
In the women’s category, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or after leading her club to a historic quadruple and winning the Nations League with Spain.
Rodri played a pivotal role in City’s title win, showcasing his exceptional skills throughout the season and earning the title of player of the tournament at Euro 2024, where Spain triumphed in Germany.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola praised Rodri as “the best” in his position, highlighting his game-reading ability and crucial goal-scoring contributions.
Notably, Rodri’s presence is vital for City, with their last four Premier League defeats occurring when he was sidelined.
Unfortunately, he recently suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
