Spain’s Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, was honored with the Ballon d’Or award on Monday, surpassing Brazil’s Vinicius Jr. and England’s Jude Bellingham, both from Real Madrid. Additionally, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s title for the second consecutive year.
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This is Rodri’s first time receiving the award, which he earned after playing a pivotal role in securing Manchester City’s unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season. He was also recognized as the best player at the European Championship, where Spain captured its fourth title.
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The 28-year-old Madrid native made history as the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990, and he is now the third Spaniard to receive the prize, following Alfredo Di Stefano and Luis Suarez. Despite a history of strong performances by Spanish players, no Spaniard had won the award in over 60 years.
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Speaking at the awards ceremony, Rodri dedicated his win to Spanish football and acknowledged fellow midfielders who have been overlooked for the honor. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of midfielders who often work behind the scenes.
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In a notable shift, Rodri is the third recipient of the award not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo since 2008. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati’s achievement reinforces her status in women’s football, as she continues to shine on the international stage.
