Spain’s Rodri has won the Ballon d’Or for the 2023/24 season, edging Vinícius Júnior of Brazil in the process. He thus became the first holding midfielder since Lothar Matthäus of Germany in 1990 to win the award. The 28-year-old Spaniard won the Premier League title for the fourth consecutive time with Manchester City and also the European Championships with the Spanish national team.
Vini Jr also had a very good season, winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid and scoring 24 goals in 39 matches in the 2023/24 season. However, the very fact that Rodri is almost indispensable for the Cityzens might have tilted the scale in his favour.
Manchester City Unbeaten Last Season with Rodri Starting
With Rodri in the playing XI, Manchester City did not lose a single match in the 2023-24 season. That is in itself a pretty amazing record and makes Rodri’s case a very strong one for winning the Ballon d’Or. Moreover, the Spaniard played a key role in his country’s campaign at the Euro 2024 as well. He was also selected in the Team of the Tournament.
Vinicius is an attacking player and hence, was better-placed to win the award as per the tradition that has always favored a forward or an attacking midfielder. However, his below-par performance for the Brazilian national team has probably hurt his cause. He has scored only three goals in 15 international appearances for Brazil since the start of 2023, which is definitely not the kind of return one would associate with a player of his caliber.
In comparison, Rodri scored nine goals for Manchester City in 50 matches last season and has three goals for 18 appearances for Spain since 2023 despite being a defensive player. He is renowned for his accurate passing, ability to score goals with powerful shots and clean tackles.
He is a complete player capable of exerting his influence on the either side of the pitch. He typically plays a very crucial role in foiling the opposition’s counter-attacks with his exemplary sense of positioning and ability to close down the opposition’s attackers.
City Having to be Creative Without Rodri
The midfielder has suffered a serious injury to his knee at the beginning of the current season, which has ruled him out for the remainder of it. His absence has already begun to hurt Manchester City, as the club is not being able to win matches with consummate ease.
Vinicius is only 24 and has a long career ahead of him. He has already scored eight goals in 15 matches this season and might once again play a key role in Real Madrid’s progress this season. Real has an exceptional record in Champions League and hence, the Brazilian will have a chance to add to his tally of two winner’s medals in the tournament.
Therefore, he should not be disappointed and should continue to perform well for his club. Rodri’s triumph, meanwhile, has been a vindication of his sustained excellence for the English champions. One can only hope that he will continue to perform at this level for a few more seasons.