Who Said What: Football World reacts as Rodri wins 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or award

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri surpassed everyone, including Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or award. He was not a favorite until the 11th hour, but overtook Real Madrid star Vinicius to claim the accolade.

Notably, this is also the first time, he won the award. Numerous footballers from across the world lent out their wishes to the Spaniard who is currently out of action due to a knee injury.

Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernandinho, who shared the dressing room with Rodri at Manchester City posted on X:

"Another great achievement in a very successful career. Well done Rodri."

Rodri's club-mate Ilkay Gundogan wrote a long post to not only congratulate Rodri, but also highlighted how good a footballer he is. The German midfielder wrote on X:

"From today on he is finally not 'underrated' anymore. Congratulations to my teammate Rodri on wining the Ballon d'Or! For me this is very well deserved! I'm especially happy that someone on a defensive position is winning this title and not always just the offensive players!"

"Rodri is the perfect midfielder and there's no one that plays his position better than he does - there are so many clubs in Europe that are looking for a world class holding midfielder, but in the end there's only him! What a development in recent years!" he added.

Antoine Griezmann, who has played with Rodri at Atletico Madrid too, congratulated the midfielder for his achievement. He said:

"Rodri ( Atleeetiiii ! )"

Atletico Madrid themselves, shared a statement on social media upon their former midfielder's new feat. Notably, Rodri had spent a short span of his youth career at the club too.

The club mentioned in their statement:

"Rodrigo Hernández Cascante: What a player. Congratulations from the entire Atleti family for being proclaimed winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri! It is an honour for Atlético de Madrid, where you develop and grow as a footballer and a person, to see everything you are achieving and what you still have to achieve."

The official X handle of Ballon d'Or shared a picture of the Spanish midfielder kissing the award and wrote:

"Rodri!"

Marc Cucurella, Rodri's teammate in the Spanish national team, shared his joy about both the midfielder and Lamine Yamal, who won the Kopa Trophy. The full-back wrote on X:

"Enhorabuena Rodri y Lamine! Well deserved."

Yamal who shared the stage with the 28-year-old went forward and congratulated the new superstar midfielder. He wrote:

"Rodri (magic wand)"

Former Colombia international and centre-forward Carlos Bacca, who currently plays for Junior FC wrote on X:

"felicitaciones RODRI #1 BALÓN DE ORO"

Young Barcelona star also Gavi took to Instagram to appreciate Rodri's contribution to football over the past year. He mentioned:

"Felicidaded amigo!!!!! Muy merecido."

Oscar Bobb, who is currently representing Manchester City, wrote about Rodri on his Instagram story:

"The best"

---

Rodri's achievements in the 2023-24 season

Rodri enjoyed a brilliant 2023-24 season, both at a domestic and the international level. On one hand, he won the Premier League for the fourth successive time. Manchester City also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in the very same campaign.

International success took Rodri to his peak and perhaps helped him win the Ballon d'Or. In the summer of 2024, the Spain national team defeated England, to take home the Euros, where Rodri played a crucial role.

This was Spain's fourth title, which made them the most successful team in the competition too. Additionally, it was after 2012 that Spain again tasted success on the international front (senior team).