On October 28, 2024, inside Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, Rodri Hernández lifted the Ballon d’Or, and in that moment, football’s most prestigious individual award underwent a quiet revolution. The Manchester City and Spain midfielder became the first player born after 1990 to claim the trophy, ending a 64-year drought for Spanish recipients since Luis Suárez in 1960 and etching his name as Manchester City’s first-ever Ballon d’Or winner . This was no fluke victory: it was the culmination of a season where Rodri didn’t just perform—he became the irreplaceable backbone of trophy-winning machines at both club and country.
The Historic Weight of the Win
Rodri’s triumph shattered multiple long-standing narratives. For decades, the Ballon d’Or had tilted toward forwards and attacking midfielders; since 2010, only Luka Modrić (2018) had broken the stranglehold of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other attacking stars. Rodri’s win went further: he became just the second pure defensive midfielder to claim the award in 30 years, following Matthias Sammer’s 1996 victory . For Spain, it was a belated acknowledgment of a footballing dynasty—legends like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Iker Casillas, architects of Spain’s 2008–2012 golden era, never won the honor, making Rodri’s speech resonate deeply: “This is for all those Spanish players who defined an era without holding this trophy. It’s Spain’s victory, not just mine” .
For Manchester City, the win marked the final validation of their decade-long rise. Since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008, the club had collected 14 major trophies, including the 2022–23 treble, but no player had ever finished higher than fourth in Ballon d’Or voting. Rodri’s award cemented City’s status as a breeding ground for elite talent—and underscored how integral he had become to Pep Guardiola’s system.
Club Dominance: The Indispensable Midfield Engine
Rodri’s 2023–24 club season was defined by both statistical brilliance and intangible influence. Across 50 appearances for Manchester City, he scored 9 goals and provided 14 assists—a remarkable haul for a player tasked with shielding the defense . When combined with his 13 international outings (3 goals, 1 assist), his total for the year reached 63 appearances, 12 goals, and 15 assists, plus 114 chances created for teammates .
His impact was most stark in the Premier League, where City secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive title with a 28–7–3 record . The data laid bare his irreplaceability: City went 27–7–0 in matches Rodri started, dropping just 7 points. Without him? They managed 1 win and 3 losses, with their goals-per-game average plummeting from 2.7 to 1.4 and their defensive record worsening from 0.9 to 1.3 goals conceded per match . Key moments dotted his season: a 90th-minute winner against Aston Villa in April, two assists in the 3–1 derby win over Manchester United, and a crucial strike in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid that set City on course for the knockout stages .
Beyond goals and assists, Rodri’s mastery of space and possession anchored Guardiola’s fluid system. His 93% pass completion rate in the Premier League led all midfielders, and he won 68% of his duels—numbers that reflected how he turned defense into attack with a single pinpoint pass . “He’s the most complete midfielder of his generation,” Guardiola gushed after the Ballon d’Or announcement. “Without Rodri, our style doesn’t exist. He’s the glue that holds everything together” .
International Glory: Euro 2024’s Defensive Maestro
If City’s success established Rodri as a club legend, Spain’s 2024 European Championship triumph elevated him to continental greatness. La Roja became the first nation to win four Euro titles, and Rodri was named Player of the Tournament after marshaling a midfield that conceded just 4 goals across 7 wins .
His influence peaked in the knockout stages. Against hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, he won 12 duels, made 5 interceptions, and completed 92% of his passes to help Spain edge a tense extra-time victory . In the semi-final against France, he neutralized Kylian Mbappé’s threat by cutting passing lanes into the forward, limiting him to just 1 shot on target . Even in the final against England—a 2–1 win—Rodri’s 87th-minute tackle on Bukayo Saka prevented a late equalizer, sealing Spain’s historic win .
UEFA’s technical report summed up his impact: “Rodri redefined the defensive midfield role at this tournament. He wasn’t just a shield—he was Spain’s tactical conductor, dictating tempo and breaking opposition presses with unmatched composure.”
The Competition: Why Rodri Edged Out Rivals
Rodri’s victory was not unchallenged. Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, his closest competitor, had enjoyed a stellar season: 32 goals and 19 assists, plus Champions League and La Liga titles . But Vinícius’ Brazil failed to win the 2024 Copa América, leaving his resume without international silverware. Jude Bellingham, third in voting, impressed with 28 goals for Real Madrid but lacked the defensive rigor and trophy haul to surpass Rodri .
The Ballon d’Or’s voting panel—journalists from 100 FIFA-ranked nations—valued Rodri’s “dual dominance.” As France Football’s editor-in-chief explained: “Rodri didn’t just win trophies; he made trophies possible. His influence on both ends of the pitch is unparalleled in modern football.”
Legacy: A Shift in How Football Values Greatness
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or is more than a personal milestone—it’s a paradigm shift. For years, defensive midfielders were praised as “unsung heroes,” their contributions measured in tackles and interceptions rather than individual acclaim. Rodri’s win changes that, highlighting the position’s growing importance in an era of high-press, possession-based football.
Guardiola, who has coached legends like Xavi and Iniesta, sees Rodri’s legacy as transformative: “People used to ask, ‘Can a defensive midfielder win the Ballon d’Or?’ Now they’ll ask, ‘Which defensive midfielder is next?’ Rodri proved that greatness isn’t just about scoring—it’s about controlling the game.”
As Rodri held the Ballon d’Or aloft in Paris, he represented a new kind of footballing icon: one whose brilliance lies not in flashy skills, but in consistency, intelligence, and irreplaceability. For the sport, it was a reminder that true greatness comes in many forms—and sometimes, it wears the number 16, anchoring the midfield.
