The stats of Rodri in the 2023/24 season have been compared to Luka Modric’s Ballon d’Or campaign.
Luka Modric’s Ballon d’Or Winning Achievements
Modric claimed the Ballon d’Or award in 2018 for his contribution to Real Madrid and Croatia between 2017 and 2018.
Luka Modric picked up 3 trophies during the 2017/18 season, clinching the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
The 39-year-old netted 4 goals and provided 12 assists in over 50 matches for club and country.
Modric did well to outwit former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Antoine Griezmann to secure the Ballon d’Or award in 2018, with the other duo finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or Winning Figures
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, who is also known as Rodri, scored an impressive 12 goals and provided 13 assists in over 50 matches for Manchester City and Spain between 2023 and 2024 despite being a defensive midfielder.
Rodri also claimed many trophies, including the Premier League title, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA European Championship.
Individually, the Manchester City midfielder was also named the Player of the Tournament at the Euro 2024 and he claimed the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in 2023.
Why Was The Manchester City And Spain Star Handed The Prize?
These figures and achievements contributed to why Rodri was handed the Ballon d’Or award, as journalists deemed him deserving of the prize and they made their thoughts known via voting.
Rodri’s Statement After Claiming The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award
The 28-year-old, who is currently nursing an injury, expressed his delight after claiming the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, surprisingly submerging Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.
Speaking after he was bestowed with the honor at the award ceremony held in Paris, France, Rodri said:
“Thanks for this. It’s a special day for me and all those close to me. I try to say to the kids, you don’t need to be crazy… you can be a normal guy.
“Try to do your best. I would like to thank God because with these values, with this perseverance, in the end, it gives you back.”
Additionally, the Spaniard tipped Barcelona’s attacking prodigy Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Rodri added: “Lamine Yamal will win the
Ballon d’Or very soon, I’m convinced of it. Keep it up, keep working hard, you’ll get there.”
Vinicius Jr Snubbed For The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award
Several football enthusiasts are incensed by how the voting went, as they felt Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr should be claiming the prize ahead of Rodri.
Vinicius Jr claimed the UEFA Champions League, Spanish La Liga, UEFA Super Cup, and Spanish Super Cup between 2023/24 while also scoring 26 goals and providing 11 assists for club and country (Brazil).
Following the award ceremony, the 24-year-old also reacted to being snubbed for the honor, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Rodri Claimed The Award Despite The Breathtaking Display Of Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal And Lautaro Martinez
Teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal were also overlooked for the ultimate prize alongside Argentina and Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, who scored 35 goals and provided 8 assists for club and country between 2023 and 2024.
Martinez won many trophies last season, including the Serie A, Italian Super Cup, and Copa America.
Individually, Lautaro Martinez claimed the Serie A golden boot, the Serie A Most Valuable Player award and the Copa America golden boot.
It will be fascinating to see who claims the award in 2025, as players are already getting down to business and delineating their brilliance with the hope of being recognized in the coming year.
