Rodri Hernandez, Manchester City’s standout midfielder, made history on Monday night by winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
He edged out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham to claim the prestigious award. This recognition follows an impressive season where Rodri played a pivotal role in City’s Premier League victory and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph over England.
Rodri’s unbeaten streak of 74 consecutive games, coupled with his exceptional performance in Euro 2024, cemented his position as a top contender. He played six out of seven games for Spain in the competition and helped Manchester City secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Other notable winners from the ceremony included Real Madrid as Men’s Club of the Year, Carlo Ancelotti as Best Male Manager of the Year, Emiliano Martinez as the Yachine Trophy Winner, and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati as the Female Best Player for the second consecutive year.
Interestingly, Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony after Vinicius Junior didn’t win the best player award, sparking controversy over the Ballon d’Or’s selection process.