Manchester City midfielder Rodri became the second Spaniard in history to receive the prestigious Ballon d'Or. Alfredo Di Stefano, an Argentine naturalized Spanish, was the first to achieve this. Rodri stood out for his excellent season in the Premier League and his crucial role in Spain's victory in the Euro Cup, where he was named the tournament's best player. He attended the gala ceremony supported by crutches due to a recent injury, surpassing other favorites and leaving his mark on world football.
Rodri established himself as the successor to Lionel Messi in this edition of the Ballon d'Or, marking a shift in era as neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo were nominated for the first time since 2003. The absence of Vinicius Jr. added controversy to the event as he decided not to attend after learning that he would not be awarded. The Real Madrid delegation, led by the Brazilian, deemed his absence a protest over what they called a lack of respect in the award selection process.
Lautaro Martínez, Inter forward and Argentina national team player, ranked seventh, being the best Argentine representative at this year's gala. During the event, he expressed his gratitude for the achievements made with Inter and Argentina, dedicating his position in the ranking to his teammates and emphasizing the collective effort in his individual success.
Rodri outperformed Vinicius Jr., Dani Carvajal, and Jude Bellingham in the voting. The gala took place on Monday, October 28, at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, where Rodri Hernández claimed the 2024 Ballon d'Or after much anticipation and drama. At the same gala, Martínez presented the Lev Yashin award to his compatriot Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez, who ranked 18th overall. With this award, Rodri joins a select group of Spanish footballers who have left their mark on the Ballon d'Or, while Martínez and 'Dibu' reaffirm the good moment that Argentine football is experiencing at both the national and European club levels.
