Rodrigo has won the Ballon d’Or2024 award, becoming the first Manchester City player to claim the coveted ‘best player of the year’ honour.
The Spaniard has grown into a pivotal figure in Pep Guardiola’s incredible side, who earned a record-breaking fourth successive English top-flight title last season.
His impact on Manchester City, as well as his role as the driving force behind Spain’s Euro 2024 success, earned him the award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday night.
The 28-year-old received the iconic golden trophy on stage from former Liberian president and 1995 Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah.
Rodrigo beat Real Madrid’s trio of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who completed the top four.
Fellow City players Ruben Dias, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland also made it to the 30-man shortlist.
Haaland was the next highest ranking City player, finishing fifth while Foden came 11th and Dias was announced in 23rd place.
Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior and his Real Madrid teammates boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony after it was revealed to them that the Manchester City midfielder Rodri will receive the award.
Vinícius, 24, was a leading contender to win the 2024 men’s top prize after leading Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double last season.
Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, posting on his X handle earlier in the say, said the Brazilian international and his fellow Madrid nominees – Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, as well as Andriy Lunin, nominated for best goalkeeper, Arda Güler, nominated for the Kopa Trophy, and Carlo Ancelotti, nominated for best coach – would not be attending the event, organised by the magazine France Football, in collaboration with UEFA.
One club source considered it “unfair” and “a disgrace” that Vinícius Jr would not win the award.
