The Spanish footballer beat Vinicius (second), Bellingham (third) and Carvajal (fourth) in the vote to become the second Spanish player to receive this award.
Rodrigo Hernández (28) has officially joined football’s elite. The Spanish midfielder claimed the world’s most prestigious individual award, representing a refreshing contrast with his grounded persona: no tattoos, no earrings, no social media, and a traditional footballer’s look. Standing under the Paris sky, crutches at his side, he smiled like a child, his joy untainted by expectations—his focus has always been on team achievements. With tears in his eyes, he held up the trophy, earning his place on a short list of footballers honored as the best of their time.
On Monday, October 28, at the Châtelet Theater, Rodrigo also made history as the second Spaniard to win this award, following in the footsteps of Luis Suárez, who claimed it in 1960. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, he said, “‘If we’ve made it this far, we’re not going to throw in the towel.’ From that moment, my mindset shifted. A normal kid with values, who studies, who tries to do things right without getting caught up in stereotypes, can go far. Thank you to everyone.” His words, captured in exclusive footage from Movistar Plus+, reflected both gratitude and humility.
This Ballon d’Or for Rodri celebrates the ideal defensive midfielder—one who, while studying for a degree in Business Administration, has mastered ball control, dominates duels with ease, excels defensively, and contributes goals and assists like a playmaker. Before the ceremony, Vinicius seemed favored to take the honor, yet a last-minute turn of events led to the award going to Rodri, perhaps explaining the Real Madrid delegation’s notable absence. This win reinforces Rodri’s success with Manchester City and Spain. “Today, many friends have reached out, telling me that football has won, giving visibility to the midfielders who often work in the shadows. Today, their role shines,” Rodri shared, acknowledging the recognition for his position.
Last season, Manchester City clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title, a historic achievement in the 135-year history of English football. Remarkably, the team’s only two league defeats occurred when Rodri was suspended. Under Guardiola, they also claimed the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup. Across all competitions, Rodri scored 12 goals and contributed 15 assists from his midfield position—an extraordinary feat for a defensive player. His performance crescendoed with a successful European Championship campaign, where he emerged as a dressing room leader and a guiding presence on the field, earning the title of Player of the Tournament. Nicknamed by his City teammates as the “footballer who never loses,” Rodri played 50 matches, with only one loss, occurring in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. This exceptional season culminated in Rodri winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or, solidifying his place among football’s elite.
“For people to think that I could be the best in the world is incredible to me. Just being here already feels like a prize,” said the 28-year-old Manchester City midfielder on the red carpet. Spain has had some remarkable footballers over the past few years, including the most successful generation in national football history—one that won the Euro Cup, World Cup, and another Euro Cup. Yet none of those players received this recognition during the era when Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi shared the top honors.
Rodri Hernández’s achievement is a testament to the hard work that has been done for years in Spain and serves as an inspiring message to young Spanish players who dream of one day winning it themselves and are already making waves, like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Pedri. “Today, this is not just a victory for me; it is for Spanish football, for so many players who deserved this but never won it, like Iniesta, Xavi, Iker, Busi, and many others. It’s a victory for Spanish football and for the role of the midfielder,” he expressed.
