Manchester City midfielder, Rodri has been crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, beating Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham to claim football’s most coveted individual prize.
This historic win cements Rodri’s status as one of the sport’s elite, marking the pinnacle of a journey filled with perseverance and resilience.
At the prestigious ceremony held on Monday in Paris, France, the Spanish international delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, revealing a pivotal moment from his early career.
Rodri recalled a time he nearly walked away from football entirely. “One day I told my father: stop, I leave football, my dream is over,” he shared, describing how his father’s encouragement helped him persevere. “But he told me… no, keep going, let’s try until the end.”
Reflecting on his journey, Rodri expressed gratitude for the support that fueled his ambition. “Today I’m here, and I’m proud; I have to say thanks,” he said, acknowledging the role of his family and mentors in achieving football’s highest individual accolade.
The final rankings placed Rodri at the top, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham following closely behind.
This year’s Ballon d’Or honours list features 29 of the world’s most exceptional players, see the list below: