Why Rodri Won the Ballon d’Or

 Why Rodri Won the Ballon d’Or

Rodri has won the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, which might be a surprise to some, though not because there are any doubts about the Manchester City star’s credentials.

It’s just that we so rarely see central midfielders in the running for a prize that has been so dominated by attacking players over the years.

Jorginho – then of Chelsea – came third in 2021, but central midfielders don’t often appear in the race for the Ballon d’Or, let alone win it. Andrés Iniesta and Xavi featured in the top three on numerous occasions between 2009 and 2012, but the last midfielder to win the prestigious award was Kaka in 2007, and he was barely a central midfielder. Pavel Nedved won it in 2003, while Rivaldo (1999) and Zinedine Zidane (1998) did so prior to that.  

After a year that saw him win another Premier League title with Man City before going on to be a key part of Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign, Rodri has earned the accolade after a vote from his peers. He is the first ever City player to win it, and the first player from the Premier League to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 when he was at Manchester United.

He also became the third Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or and the first in 64 years, following Alfredo Di Stéfano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suárez (1960).

Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior had been the bookies favourite to win after his own special year that included scoring in the 2-0 UEFA Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund. Despite his best efforts, TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand shouting “Ballon d’Or!” over and over at Wembley as the Brazilian scored that goal in May wasn’t enough to secure the award for him.

So, does the data back up the decision to go with Rodri over Vinícius?