Rodri Secures 2024 Ballon d’Or Victory Over Vinicius Jr. and Bellingham

Manchester City’s Rodri has been awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or, outshining Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham. His stellar season earns him the prestigious title as the world’s best footballer.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has clinched this year’s Ballon d’Or award, surpassing competition from the Real Madrid trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Dani Carvajal.

The Spanish international is the second Premier League player to claim this prestigious award in 16 years, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s win in 2008.

Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri is awarded the Ballon d’Or at the 2024 France Football award ceremony, held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Rodri enjoyed a season filled with triumphs, winning the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with City, in addition to claiming victory at Euro 2024 with Spain.

Since Luka Modric claimed the award in 2018, Rodri is the first midfielder to secure it. Lionel Messi has taken home three of these awards since then, while Karim Benzema won one.

Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder, Rodri, is awarded the Ballon d’Or during the 2024 France Football award ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 28, 2024. (Photo by Franck Fife / AFP)

The award was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19, preventing Robert Lewandowski from having the opportunity to win the trophy.