RODRI'S WIN 'IS FOR SPANISH FOOTBALL'

Man City star dedicates Ballon d'Or to La Roja greats and 'the figure of the midfielder'

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PARIS - Manchester City midfielder Rodri called it a "victory for Spanish football" after winning the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world on Oct 28, beating Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, to the prestigious prize.

His compatriot, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, won the women's award for a second time.

Rodri, a first-time winner of the award, was instrumental in helping City win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League trophy in the 2023-24 season. He was also named best player at the 2024 European Championship after Spain lifted a record-extending fourth title.

The 28-year-old Madrid native is the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d'Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and the third Spaniard to claim the prize after Alfredo di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960).

While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard had won since the late Barcelona great Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain's golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 Euros.