Manchester City midfielder Rodri wins the ballon d'or

This Monday evening, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was handed the ballon d'or award in Paris, for his performances over the course of the 23/24 season for club and country.

Rodri scored eight goals and provided nine assists in 34 Premier League games last season, including a goal against West Ham United on the final day to help City secure the league title.

The midfielder started 6/7 games for Spain at the Euros, and scored against Georgia when his side were 1-0 down in their last 16 tie, with a left footed strike from outside the box.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri wins the ballon d'or

As a defensive midfielder, of course, goals and assists are not his main remit, but when he gives you such a level of control - over 120 averages touches per game in the Premier League last season - as well contributing in the final third, it is hard to look past such a rare skillset.

There has been a lot of clamor for Vinicius to win the award, but he did play < 50 of league minutes last season, and had a poor Copa America with Brazil, who went out in the quarter-finals. No doubt his run in the Champions League was legendary, but there has to be more to being the best player in the world than one competition.

Rodri has become the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008. The midfielder is currently out for the rest of this season, with an ACL injury - but no doubt this award will go some way to cheering him up and helping him get through the mental and physical pain of missing the 24/25 season.

With Rodri's aforementioned injury, there will be another winner this season, making it eight years and counting since the award was last retained by a player.

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