Rodri Clinches the 2024 Ballon d’Or Award Shocking Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid

The 2024 Ballon d’Or award has gone to Rodri of Manchester City and Spain, making him the best men’s footballer in the world, beating Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. The Manchester City midfielder had an Incredible year, leading his team to another Premier League title and also Spain to a UEFA European Championship where he was awarded the player of the tournament. This makes Rodri the first Spaniard to win the award since Luis Suarez in 1960, and the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

While most of the bookmakers expected Vinicius to be the favorite, Rodri was outstanding in all-around performance, especially in the decisive moments, which allowed him to receive the highest award in football. Notably, he was limping during the Paris ceremony after he injured his knee – ACL – last month in the match against Arsenal in a development that has seen him sidelined for the rest of the season.

Real Madrid fans, however, were left disappointed after Vinicius Junior, who scored 24 goals and assisted 11 for Los Blancos in their Champions League and La Liga double—was snubbed. In his response, Vinicius joined other footballers, including his rival in the Ballon d’Or, Jude Bellingham, to boycott the ceremony.

While Manchester City fans can only watch and admire their team, some fans couldn’t be prouder. Rodri was a regular fixture in the City team last season, putting in valuable shifts that helped the team secure their trophy. From the winner in the UEFA Champions League final the season before last to netting the final match-winning goal that clinched a fourth consecutive league title, he has established himself as a Manchester City legend. His late goal in the game against Sheffield United in the 88^th minute and his match-winning performance against West Ham United on the last day of the 2023/24 season proved his influence during curtain-raiser games.

After receiving the award, Rodri said he is proud and wants to continue to do better. He said: “I was a typical central midfielder but then I thought I must start scoring goals I have to go forward.” “I think people don’t know me much; I’m just an ordinary man, a cool man… or rather, I am cool, until I get angry.” “I do things in the right manner and make sure I am a good role model every day and this has been made easier by learning from some of the best.”

As Rodri is enjoying his fantastic accomplishment, the Los Blancos fans are pondering what might have been. As fans’ expectations are high, 1BoxOffice is still the best place to buy football tickets to watch talented athletes such as Rodri and Vinicius in action. While the football world is busy reverberating, football lovers can rely on 1BoxOffice to get the best football tickets or soccer tickets and get closer to all the exciting actions on the field.