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Rodri became the third player, after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the award since 2008.
Manchester City's Rodri has dedicated his Ballon d'Or win to Spanish football, highlighting the contributions of several other deserving players.
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Pulse Sports reported that Spain midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d'Or for the world's best player on Monday, edging Brazil's Vinicius Junior and England's Jude Bellingham.
The 28-year-old is a first-time winner, and he played a crucial role in securing Manchester City's unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.
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06:34 - 29.10.2024
Ballon d'Or: Vinicius Junior fires back after losing to Man City’s Rodri
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has sent a defiant message following his Ballon d’Or snub after Manchester City ace Rodri won the prestigious award.
He was also named the best player at this year's European Championship, where Spain claimed a record-extending fourth title.
In the Premier League, he scored eight goals and provided nine assists, while in the Champions League, he contributed one goal and three assists.
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Ballon d'Or victory is a win for Spanish Football - Rodri
Rodri, during his acceptance speech, emphasised the importance of the award for midfielders, a position often overlooked, and claimed that the victory was for Spanish Football.
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00:48 - 29.10.2024
Rodri beats Vinicius, Bellingham to Ballon d'Or main prize
Manchester City's Rodri has been named as the 2024 Ballon d 'Or winner.
The EURO 2024 champion acknowledged the impact of players like Iniesta, Casillas and others who have not won the award.
"Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), Iker (Casillas), Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder.
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"Today many friends have written to me and have told me that football has won, for giving visibility to so many midfielders who have a job in the shadows and today it is coming to light.
"I'm a regular guy with values, who studies, who tries to do things right and doesn't try to follow the stereotypes and even so I have been able to get to the top, and it is thanks to all of you," Rodri stated during his acceptance speech.
Rodri became the third player, after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the award since 2008. This also marks the first time since 2003 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo was included in the final 30-man nominee list.
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