Real Madrid fume as Rodri revealed as Ballon d’Or winner

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·28 October 2024

Real Madrid fume as Rodri revealed as Ballon d’Or winner

Rodri is set to be named winner of the Ballon d’Or this evening, following a reported leak of the vote.

The Manchester City and Spain midfielder has been regarded as one of the frontrunners for the accolade and has reportedly been voted as the 2024 winner.

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Fabrizio Romano has reported that no one from Real Madrid will travel to the ceremony in Paris this evening, after it was revealed that bookmakers’ favourite Vinicius Junior and club teammate Jude Bellingham had not won the prize.

Vinicius was believed to be leading candidate for the award after helping Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League success in 2023/24, but appears to have missed out on becoming the first Brazilian in 17 years to win the Ballon d’Or.

Rodri was instrumental as Manchester City won a fourth consecutive Premier League title last term before forming part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024.

He was named Player of the Tournament at the European Championship for his role in the success of Luis de la Fuente’s side.

The 28-year-old – who will miss the remainder of the current campaign with an ACL injury – will become the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or. He will also become just the third Spaniard, after Alfredo Di Stefano and Luis Suarez, and first since 1960.