Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri says he never expected to win a Ballon d’Or but believes he has performed at the highest level of football in the last years.
Rodri won the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the best footballer of the year.
The 28-year-old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, is the first Spanish player to win the men’s award since 1960.
Rodri is the first Manchester City player to win the Ballon d’Or and the first Premier League-based player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
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“My dream was to play in the first division in professional football; I was a kid watching Messi and Cristiano lifting this kind of trophies every year.
“My dream was to play one day with them, I never put a target on myself to be this kind of player. If you have small goals every day in your life, you will increase your level one day” Rodri said.
He helped Spain win the 2024 Euros in July and also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
The Ballon d’Or recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world rankings.
