Overcoming Vinicius and Jude Bellingham, 28-year-old midfielder Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or thanks to his achievements in winning the Premier League and Euro.

The 1995 Ballon d’Or, former Liberian president George Weah announced and awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Rodri at a gala at the Chatelet theater on the evening of October 28, Paris time. The MC and also the famous former striker Didier Drogba came down to help the Spanish midfielder receive the award, because he is being treated for a knee injury and will be out of action until the end of the 2024-2025 season. The Man City midfielder walked onto the stage on crutches amid applause from the audience.

Rodri kisses the Golden Ball during the gala at the Chatelet theater, Paris, France on the evening of October 28, 2024. Photo: Reuters.

Receiving the Golden Ball from Weah, the 28-year-old midfielder did not smile, but kissed it and lifted it high as most of the guests stood up to applaud. He became the first player born in the 90s to win the Golden Ball, and also the first Spanish player to win this award in 64 years.

Rodri then put his crutches aside, choked with emotion and speechless. After a moment, he spoke: “This is an incredible evening for me. I will speak in Spanish, the language of my country.”

Rodri thanked France Football magazine , UEFA, his family, his Manchester City club and the Spanish national team. “The most important person” to him was his girlfriend Laura Iglesias, who was also in the audience. The two have been together for eight years.

Rodri also paid tribute to defender Dani Carvajal, who is also suffering from a similar injury to him and “deserves to stand on the podium like me”. The 28-year-old midfielder also said that Lamine Yamal would receive the award in the future, making the 17-year-old winger smile. “Today is not only a victory for me, but also for Spanish football,” Rodri added. “Many former players deserve to be honored but have not won the award, such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas or Sergio Busquets. This award honors Spanish football and midfielders.”

Rodri received the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or.

Rodri is the first defensive midfielder to win the award since Lothar Matthaus in 1990. He scored nine goals and provided 14 assists in 50 games last season, helping his club win the Premier League and Club World Cup. The 6ft 4in midfielder made an even bigger impression at Euro 2024, being named the tournament’s best player as Spain won the title. He only scored one goal at the Euros, but he was rated higher for his ability to control a match.

Rodri grew up at Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, playing professionally since the age of 19, playing for both clubs before joining Man City in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee of 81 million USD. Last year, he finished fifth in the Golden Ball race.

This year’s achievement makes Rodri the third Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or, after Alfredo Di Stefano (1957, 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960). Di Stefano was Argentine, but played for the Spanish national team during the years he won the award.

Rodri is also the first Man City player to win the Ballon d’Or, after Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland won the Bronze Ball in 2022 and the Silver Ball in 2023 respectively. The 28-year-old midfielder is also the first representative of the Premier League to win the award, since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 when he was playing for Man Utd.

Midfielder Rodri celebrates after Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals at the Allianz Stadium in Munich on July 9. Photo: AP

Before Weah announced Rodri’s name, the crowd erupted in chants of “Vinicius .” The 24-year-old Real Madrid striker was considered a strong candidate to win the award, until the day of the award. Vinicius even threw a party with friends, and promised to give each of his Real Madrid teammates a Rolex watch. But then he received the news that he had missed out on the award .

Vinicius, 24, was named the best player in the 2023-2024 Champions League, helping Real Madrid win their 15th title. He also won La Liga, but the best player in the tournament was midfielder Jude Bellingham. In total, Vinicius scored 24 goals and assisted 11 in 39 games for Real last season. But in the Copa America, he only scored twice as Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Before the gala, dozens of spectators outside the Chatelet theater also shouted in unison: “Vinicius Golden Ball”. However, the Brazilian star and all Real members boycotted and did not attend the gala. There, Carlo Ancelotti was chosen as the best coach, and Real Madrid was honored as the best club. Vinicius also won the Silver Ball, while Bellingham won the Bronze Ball, but was absent.

See detailed order of Golden Ball 2024

France Football also awarded the women’s Ballon d’Or to midfielder Aitana Bonmati, marking the second year in a row she has won the award . The 26-year-old plays for Barca, where her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo won the women’s Silver and Bronze Balls respectively. Bonmati and Rodri being honoured together means this is the first time the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or winners have come from the same country.

Midfielder Aitana Bonmati speaks after receiving the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or. Photo: Heraldo

The best young player award went to Yamal, who is also the youngest player to win the award. The 17-year-old winger played a major role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. Midfielder Arda Guler came second, while Kobbie Mainoo came third.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was once again awarded the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper, despite being booed by the French crowd. He played a key role in Argentina winning the 2024 Copa America, while Aston Villa also secured a Champions League spot.

The Ballon d’Or is considered the most prestigious individual award in football, awarded since 1956 to European players, and since 1995 expanded to the world. Lionel Messi holds the record of eight wins, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

For the men’s tournament, each journalist from a country with a team in the FIFA Top 100 will be selected to form a judging panel for the 30 nominees. Each journalist will select 10 players from the Top 30 nominees, with points awarded respectively 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points for each player. The player with the highest total points wins the prize.

List of Golden Ball awards 2024

Men’s Golden Ball: RodriMen’s Silver Ball: Vinicius JuniorMen’s Bronze Ball: Jude Bellingham

Women’s Golden Ball: Aitana BonmatiWomen’s Silver Ball: Caroline Graham HansenWomen’s Bronze Ball: Salma Paralluelo

Johan Cryuff Award for Men’s Coach: Carlo AncelottiJohan Cryuff Award for Women’s Coach: Emma Hayes

Kopa Award for Young Player: Lamine Yamal

Yashin Award for Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

Gerd Muller Award for top scorer: Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe (52 goals)

Socrates Prize for Humanitarian Service: Jennifer Hermoso

Men’s Club: Real Madrid

Women’s club: Barca