Rodry At the end of the ceremony, he was awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, leaving Brazil behind. Vinicius Junior and Great Britain Jude Bellingham for the top individual award in men’s football.

It was a particularly emotional evening for the 28-year-old midfielder, who was sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and described the moment he almost quit the sport he loved.

“When I was 17, I packed my bags and went to Villarreal with the dream of working in the Premier League,” said the player who had just won the Ballon d’Or.

“One day I called my dad crying and told him it was over, I had given my life to come here and I felt like this was it.”

Rodri concluded: “My dad said we’ve come this far, let’s keep going and that’s something that changed my mentality and now I’m here.”

He thanked those who voted for him, as well as his family, manager and teammates for helping him put himself in a position to win the Ballon d’Or.

“I’m just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy free time with my family and come back stronger,” added the midfielder, who became the first Spanish player since then. Luis Suárez To win the Ballon d’Or in 1960.

The award, which he played a critical role in helping Manchester City to the Premier League title in May before joining Spain’s winning squad at Euro 2024, was far from his first trophy this season.

While his absence from the pitch will be felt by fans around the world this season, the addition of the Ballon d’Or trophy to his trophy cabinet will certainly be an extra source of motivation for seasons to come.