Manchester City midfielder Rodri edged Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon men award in Paris on Monday night, Afrosport reports.
The battle for the ultimate award was a tough and tense one with many tipping Brazilian Vinicius to come out on top.
There were also reports of Real Madrid boycotting the awards earlier over grievances that the shiny golden ball was not going to be given to Vinicius.
It was however Rodri, who helped Manchester City to a record fourth straight Premier League title and the Euro 2024 championship with Spain, that claimed the top award.
He is the first midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Luka Modric in 2018 when he helped Real Madrid to the Champions League title and the final of the FIFA World Cup.
HERE IS THE 2024 BALLON D’OR RANKING! #ballondor @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/3aPyAe5yAr
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Placing third was England midfielder Jude Bellingham who was a conceived favourite at some stage after finishing as Real Madrid top scorer last season with 23 and 13 assists in all competitions and helping Los Blancos to the La Liga, Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Champions League titles.
He also scored two goals to help England reach the Euro 2024 final.
I want to thank my Family, my President, my Club, my Players and above all Vini and Carvajal. pic.twitter.com/bdMJQmTflx
— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) October 28, 2024
Meanwhile, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was won as the men’s coach award.
