`A big twist! I beat Vinicius Bellingham'' Rodri, who led Man City to the Euro, is the hero of the first Ballon d'Or without Renaud 'Utuk'

Oct 29, 2024

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It was a big twist.

Spain and Manchester City's defensive midfielder Rodri stood tall as the world's best star. Rodri was selected as the winner of the men's player category at the 2024 Ballon d'Or Awards held at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris, France on the 29th (Korea time). The Ballon d'Or, organized by French football magazine France Football, is the most honorable trophy a soccer player can receive, given to the player who performed the best in the previous season.

The Ballon d'Or award ceremony, which marks its 68th anniversary this year, was held jointly with the UEFA. The winners were determined by voting from 100 press corps around the world for the 30 finalists who performed outstandingly from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.

The winner of the men's player category, which drew attention, was Rodri. Rodri, who was present on crutches, was handed the Ballon d'Or by George Weah 'Liberian Football Hero'. Rodri became the first Spanish winner in 64 years since Luis Suarez Miramontes in 1960. Rodri was named the third Spanish winner of all time after Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Suarez.

This is the first time a player born in the 1990s has won the Ballon d'Or. Rodri was born in 1996. Cristiano Ronaldo (5 times), born in 1985, and Lionel Messi (8 times), born in 1987, dominated for a long time, while Luca Modric, who caused an upset, was born in 1985, and Kareem Benzema was born in 1987. Rodri became the first Ballon d'Or winner in Manchester City's club history with this award. He was also the winner of the English Premier Leaguer Ballon d'Or, which took place 16 years after Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

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Initially, the most likely candidate for the Ballon d'Or was Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil). There have been reports in Spain that Vinicius has confirmed the award of the Ballon d'Or since last month. Various betting companies also considered Vinicius highly likely to win the award.

Vinicius was a two-time Real Madrid champion. He scored 15 goals and 6 assists in the league to help him win, followed by 6 goals and 5 assists in the European Champions League, giving his team its 15th big year. In particular, he made a strong impression in every big game, scoring a goal in the European Champions League final.

The first-ever winner of the 2000s was expected, but it fluctuated at the last minute. News broke that Vinicius would miss the Ballon d'Or award ceremony, making the atmosphere strange. The entire Real Madrid squad, including Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Carlo Ancelotti, were absent from the Ballon d'Or awards. Real Madrid expressed discomfort that Vinicius was pushed back by external factors, not skills. Real Madrid should be awarded by Dani Carvajal if Vinicius fails to win the award. If not, it is clear that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid.

Vinicius said on his SNS, 'I'll jump ten times more if necessary. They were not ready,' he said, expressing regret.

The final choice for the Ballon d'Or was Rodri. Rodri is undoubtedly the best midfielder in the world. Manchester City is full of top players, but there is no replacement for Rodri. He plays the most important role in Pep Guardiola-style football. Manchester City is always strong, but the performance is not very good in Rodri's absence. Manchester City did not lose 52 consecutive games in which Rodri started. In the 174 EPL games that Rodri has played since joining Manchester City, Manchester City has lost only 19.

Rodri, who joined Manchester City in July 2019, has played more than 50 games in four of the past five seasons, including 52 games in the 2019-2020 season, 53 games in the 2020-2021 season, 56 games in the 2022-2023 season, and 50 games in the 2023-2024 season, except for 46 official games in the 2021-2022 season. With Rodri's strong performance in the midfield, Manchester City won four EPL in a row that Manchester City could not achieve under Alex Ferguson.

Rodri also played an important role in Spain's national team, leading them to Euro 2024 championship. Rodri was named the tournament's most valuable player. Rodri plays in a less visible defensive midfielder position, but in recognition of his ability, he ranked fifth at last year's Ballon d'Or. He was considered a stronger candidate this season and made an amazing history of receiving the Ballon d'Or as a defensive midfielder.

He was also recognized for his ability in games. Rodri became the highest rated defensive midfielder in the history of EA Sports Football Game. Rodri received an overall 91 in the recently released EA Sports FC25. It rose from 89 to 91. Overall 90, ahead of Harry Kane, Kevin DeBriner, Vinicius and Bellingham, tied with Erling Holan and Mbappe. Defensive midfielders are difficult to get good reviews due to the nature of the game, but Rodri has surpassed this.

Despite such an amazing performance, Rodri collapsed due to long-term injuries. Manchester City can confirm that Rodri suffered a ligament injury in his right knee on its official channel on the 25th of last month. Rodri travelled to Spain this week for expert consultation after undergoing an initial examination in Manchester. Assessments are ongoing to confirm the extent of injury and the expected prognosis,' it said. Specifically, he kept quiet about whether he was injured in the anterior cruciate ligament or when he returned. The club wishes Rodri a speedy recovery" he said.

Rodri started in the fifth round of the EPL against rival Arsenal in 2024-2025 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on the 23rd of last month and walked on the ground as usual. An accident occurred in the 16th minute of the first half. Manchester City's corner attack collapsed as they struggled to settle down with Arsenal Thomas Partey. Earlier in the day, Rodri had collapsed on the ground after a collision with Kai Havertz shortly after kickoff in the first half. The second collision led to serious injuries. As a result of the slow scene, there was no special physical contact with the opponent, but he felt a big injury because he collapsed alone. Rodri hasn't been up for quite a while. I waited until the medical staff called by the referee came. Rodri was replaced by Mateo Kovacic and left the ground. When I went out, I walked out.

When analyzing Rodri's video through the `Sports Bible', the physio scout, who has a single opinion on the injury of the players, said that the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus damage were also included, with the right knee bent outward. The tibia bones also seem to have migrated. Of course, a thorough examination is required, but even if it is good news in the current situation, only the meniscus is injured. But the signs don't look good.

In the end, it came to a worst conclusion. Rodri reportedly suffered damage to both the cruciate ligament rupture and meniscus. The rupture of the cruciate ligament alone takes nearly a year, including rehabilitation, and it has added to the meniscus injury. I can't guarantee how long it will take for him to return. It's the result of murderous fatigue. Rodri played 63 games for Manchester City and Spain last season. Rodri said "I think the possibility of a strike by the players is close. "No matter who I ask, I'll give the same answer" "If this continues, the players will make an unchallenged choice. It is impossible for us, who are involved, to always maintain a good physical level. This year, I could play 70 games, maybe 80 games, he said. Concern eventually turned into a disaster.

Nevertheless, it did not prevent Rodri from winning the Ballon d'Or. Rodri, who was on crutches, stood tall as the best player in the world. After Rodri, Vinicius came in second and Bellingham came in third. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) and Holan were placed fourth and fifth. Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Ramin Yamal (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), and Kane (Bayern Munich) made the top 10. This is the result of the Ballon d'Or without 'Menaldo (Messi + Ronaldo)' for the first time in 21 years, and the Ballon d'Or without Asian players.

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On the other hand, Aitana Bonmaty (Barcelona) won the women's category for the second consecutive year, and both men's and women's categories produced a rare scene in which the Spanish dominated. The winner of the `Copa Trophy' went to 17-year-old striker Ramin Yamal (Barcelona), who led Spain to the championship. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) received the 'Yasin Trophy' given to the best goalkeeper.

Kane and Mbappe) shared the most goals scored category, 'Gert Müller Trophy'. Real Madrid coach Ancelotti and U.S. women's team coach Emma Hayes were chosen as this year's men's and women's coaches. The best men's club is Real Madrid and the best women's club is Barcelona, marking the Spanish era once again.

○2024 Ballon d'Or Final Rankings

1st place Rodri (Spain, City)

2nd place Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)

3rd place Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)

4th place Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain)

No. 5 Erling Holan (Man City, Norway)

6th place Kylian Mbappe (France, Real Madrid)

7th place Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)

No. 8 Ramin Yamal (Spain, FC Barcelona)

9th place Tony Cross (Germany, Real Madrid)

No. 10 Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)

No. 11 Phil Foden (Manchester City, England)

12th place Florian Birz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)

13th place Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona, Spain)

14th place Ademola Lukman (Nigeria, Atalanta)

No. 15 Nico Williams (Atlantic Bilbao, Spain)

16th place Granit Saka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)

17th place Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)

No. 18 Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina)

No. 19 Martin 외degaard (Norway, Arsenal)

20th place Hakan Chalanolu (Turkey, Inter Milan)

21st place Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)

No. 22 Antonio Rudiger (Germany, Real Madrid)

No. 23 Hoobeng Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)

No. 24 William Saliba (France, Arsenal)

25th place Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England)

26th place Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)

27th place Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)

28th-ranked Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayel Leverkusen, Spain)

29th place Mats Hummels (Germany, AS Roma)

No. 29 Artem Dubeyk (Ukraine, AS Roma)

vanbasten@sportschosun.com