By McGeorge Mbare
The Spanish, Manchester City’s defensive midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante has become the first Spanish footballer since 1960 to win the men’s ballon d’or in 2024 as Vinicius Jr has been ranked second.
The Spaniard had a stiff competition with Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal in this prestigious award. Real Madrid stars scooped the UEFA Champions league, Super Copa de Espana, Laliga in 2023/2024 season however Vinicius failed to make an impact in the Copa America 2024 and Bellingham lost the Euros 2024 final to the Spaniards.
28 year Rodri played a crucial a role by helping Manchester city to win the Premier league ,club world cup ,won the club world cup best player .additionally ,Rodri contributed into the Spanish ‘s Euro 2024 triumph and become the best player when they beat Jude Bellingham’s England.
The Spanish maestro becomes the first premier league player to scoop the Ballon d’Or in 16 years after Cristiano Ronaldo won It in 2008 while playing for Manchester United.
Eight time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi took social to congratulate all the winners and nominees for the prestigious award.
“Congratulations to all the winners and nominated ones for the Ballon d’Or 2024…especially to Dibu, what a great award for the best goalkeeper in the world, and to Lautaro, to Scaloni and Garnacho” Messi wrote on Instagram.
According Fabrizio Romano, despite the Madristas coach scooping the Manager of the year, Mbappe winning the Gerd Muller trophy, and the club named men’s club of the year, Real Madrid delegates never showed up at the ballon d’or 2024 ceremony because their best player Vinicius Jr was not going to win the trophy.
Real Madrid stars and other footballers took social media to claim that Rodri is the best midfielder in the world but Vinicius currently is the best player in the world.
“Unfortunately, by criteria that no one can understand, the prize did not come. And don’t get me wrong, Rodri is a hell player, who deserves to be amongst the best .but Vinicius not taking the ballon d’or was embarrassing and the only one who lost today was football…”Richarlison stated.
All in all, Rodri a non-flamboyant nor great scorer like the legends Messi and Ronaldo, had a huge impact displaying his ability to protect the defense on national and club duties, a form guide duties and club level finally won the best player award of the year.