By Victor Kanayo
Spanish and Manchester City midfielder Rodri on Monday night beat close competition from Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The award ceremony which held in Paris, France was packed full with stars, except Real Madrid players who stayed away.
The Manchester City playmaker won a clutch of trophies last season, lifting the Premier League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with City, as well as Euro 2024 with Spain.
Vinicius Jr had been touted as Rodri’s main competition, but the Real Madrid star did not attend the ceremony after learning he would not win the award. Fellow candidate, and Vinicius’ team-mate Jude Bellingham, was also absent.
Rodri is the first midfielder to win the prize since 2018, when Luka Modric was honoured.
Since then, Lionel Messi has won three of the prizes and Karim Benzema has won one; Robert Lewandowski was denied the chance to win the award in 2020 as it was not given, but the Barcelona striker was the frontrunner for the individual trophy.
Also, Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was crowned coach of the year.
His club was named the best of all at the event.
Rodri is the first Premier League player to win the award since 2008, when Cristiano Ronaldo was triumphant while playing for Manchester United.
