The 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or was on Monday night awarded to Rodrigo Hernández Cascante.
The Manchester City and Spanish national team midfielder is popularly referred to as Rodri.
This award marks a major career achievement for him. It follows a great season where Rodri played a key role in securing multiple titles for both his club and country.
Rodri’s Remarkable Season
Rodri’s journey to the Ballon d’Or was characterized by the following exceptional performances:
- Club Success: He helped Manchester City secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 2023-2024 season and contributed to their UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup wins. His impact further shone with his match-winning goal in the June 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan, securing City’s first-ever Champions League title.
- International Glory: Rodri was instrumental in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament. His contributions with other teammates enabled Spain to emerge victorious despite being considered underdogs in the beginning.
The Competition: Vinícius Júnior
Vinicius Jr., the Real Madrid star, was widely seen as a strong Ballon d’Or contender this year. He also had an exceptional season:
- Led Madrid to 2023 La Liga and 2021/2022 Champions League victories.
- Scored 24 goals, and provided 11 assists across all competitions during the 2023-2024 season.
As a result, Real Madrid decided to boycott the awards ceremony due to the perceived Vini snub, sparking controversy.
The club expressed that if Vinícius wasn’t awarded, his teammate Dani Carvajal should have been considered.
This highlights the club’s overall discontentment with the results; which was also felt by many Vini and Real Madrid fans.
2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or top ten List
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern München)
Reactions to the Award
This year’s Ballon d’Or not only celebrated individual excellence but also sparked discussions about fairness and recognition within football, particularly regarding Vinícius Jr.’s omission from the top honor despite his remarkable season.
Rodri, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for receiving the award, emphasizing that it was a special day for him, his family, and his country. He acknowledged the controversy surrounding Vinicius’s snub but maintained a focus on his achievements with Manchester City and Spain.
His manager, Pep Guardiola, praised Rodri as “the best” in his position, underscoring his versatility and importance to the team.
Rodri’s win at the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or reflects not only his individual brilliance but also his integral role in two major teams’ successes over the past year. While Vinicius Jr.’s absence from the ceremony overshadowed some of the celebrations, Rodri’s accomplishments solidify his status among football’s elite.
The ceremony took place at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris.
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