Rodri Hernandez Wins Ballon d'Or Award
Rodri Hernandez won the 2024 Ballon d'Or on Monday, capturing the most prestigious individual accolade in men's soccer. He trumped Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who finished in second place.
Rodri's victory came after a remarkable season with Manchester City, where he won the Premier League title, and with Spain, where he won Euro 2024 and was named the tournament's best player.
The 28-year-old midfielder's win marks a significant milestone in his career, making him the first male Ballon d'Or winner aged under 31 since 2015. He finished fifth in last year's Ballon d'Or rankings.
Rodri led the Premier League and Champions League for progressive passes last season, and he ranked fourth in England's top tier and second in Europe's flagship competition for the total distance that he carried the ball upfield.
Rodri's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He will look to continue his success with Manchester City and Spain in the upcoming season.
Rodri tore his ACL on September 22, but his recovery is expected to be swift. He warned that players were close to going on strike due to the ever-expanding schedule in European soccer.
The former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid player has been instrumental in Manchester City's success, registering his fourth successive Premier League title and his first successes in the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Rodri's club has collected 1.90 points per match without him and 2.37 with him since the start of the 2019-20 term. He missed four Premier League matches, and Manchester City lost three of them.
Lionel Messi, last year's recipient and record eight-time winner of the award, was not among the 30 nominees. Cristiano Ronaldo was also omitted, making this the first time since 2003 that neither has been in contention for the coveted trophy.
Rodri said, 'Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Iker Casillas, Sergio Busquets, so many others.'
Vinicius Junior, who finished in second place, won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid and was awarded the top player in the latter competition. However, Brazil's performance in the World Cup qualifiers has been disappointing, with defeats to Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Rodri's victory is a significant achievement for Spanish football, and he will look to continue his success in the upcoming season. He has been named the best player in the European Championship, and his performance has earned him the respect of his peers and fans alike.
Rodri's win is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and dedication to the sport. He has been instrumental in Manchester City's success, and his performance has earned him a place among the best players in the world.
The Ballon d'Or award is the most prestigious individual accolade in men's soccer, and Rodri's victory is a significant milestone in his career. He will look to continue his success with Manchester City and Spain in the upcoming season.