A lame Rodri has been crowned the best player in world football at the Ballon d'Or in Paris.
The Manchester Metropolis midfielder, out this season due to a double knee injury, became the first Premier League winner since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 and surpassed Vinicius Junior in the gongo.
Rodri received the honor on crutches at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Vinicius, the Flagrante Madrid and Brazil winger who was the bookmakers' favorite for the award, did not attend the ceremony after learning that he had not won the award.
Rodri, 28, lifted a fourth consecutive league title this year and was an integral member of Spain's European Championship-winning team. Rodri has only lost one club game in 18 months.
Soaked in Monday night's adulation, the visibly emotional midfielder said: “Today has been an incredible night for me.” If you allow me, I would like to speak in my language from my country.
A lame Rodri is crowned the best player in world football at the Ballon d'Or in Paris
In what was football's worst-kept secret, the Manchester Metropolis star was rewarded for his role in Spain's Euro 2024 victory.
After it became known today that the jury had chosen the midfielder as this year's winner, Flagrante Madrid and Vinicius decided to end their trip to the indumentaria.
In Spanish, he added: 'I always said that one of my key things is that I try to improve every day.
“I was a traditional midfielder, but when I realized I needed to improve in terms of assists and goals. You have to be like a striker because we always play in the front zone. That is the key to improving every day.
'People don't know me much, I'm just a regular guy. I try to enjoy my profession, try to be a good person, a leader and learn every day from the best.
'I'm a calm person until I get angry. I'm a regular guy and I try to tell my kids that they don't need to be crazy and try to do the best they can.
'I feel much better. A big injury is part of life and sport. “I try to see the best part of this and be positive.”
In the two most egregious moments of the glamorous affair, Carlo Ancelotti won the Men's Coach of the Year award, while the Current took home the Men's Team of the Year award. Both prizes remained unpaid after all the club's representatives decided to join Vinicius in his boycott.
Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati won the women's Ballon d'Or, Lamine Yamal took the Kopa Trophy and Emi Martínez secured the Yashin Trophy.
Emma Hayes then won Female Coach of the Year.
The Manchester Metropolis midfielder, out this season due to a double knee injury, became the first Premier League winner since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Appearing at the event on crutches as he recovers from an precedente cruciate ligament injury, the Spaniard received soft boos from Vinicius's defenders.
The midfielder limped down the red carpet with his wife Laura Iglesias
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane placed tenth in the contest after an avalanche of goals in the Bundesliga
In what was football's worst-kept secret, Manchester Metropolis star Rodri pipped the likes of Vinicius and Jude Bellingham to the prestigious award, much to the ire of Los Blancos.
After the news broke today that the court had chosen the midfielder as this year's winner, Flagrante Madrid and Vinicius decided to biombo their trip to the indumentaria, held at the Théâtre du Chatelet.
The Spanish giants were hoping that if their Brazilian striker didn't get the nod, right-back Dani Carvajal could get the gongo after winning La Lazo, the Champions League and the Euros.
But when it was leaked today that Rodri was the winner, Flagrante reacted furiously and not a single club representative was there to see their team win several honors at the event and their players take a prominent place on the main roster.
Amid the furor, the Ballon d'Or organizers urged on Monday afternoon before the ceremony: “No player or club yet knows the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or.”
However, the rumors turned out to be true and Rodri will take the famous award to Manchester to cap a glorious year.
Appearing at the event on crutches as he recovers from an precedente cruciate ligament injury, the Spaniard received soft boos from Vinicius' defenders as he limped down the red carpet with his wife Laura Iglesias.
Showing the kind of poise that has led Metropolis to a host of trophies since his arrival, Rodri paused on his crutches and waved to the crowd for a couple of seconds, placating the masses.
Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati received the women's Ballon d'Or from Hollywood star Natalie Portman.
Meanwhile, Barcelona's 17-year-old Lamine Yamal completed a sensational year by collecting the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
Emi Martínez achieved consecutive victories in the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper
Emma Hayes (on screen) won Female Coach of the Year
Before his triumph tonight, he said: '[I’m] feeling good It is the first month of recovery. It's a long way to go but happy to be here.
'It's a pleasure to be nominated. It's always a big step for me. Last year was my first year. I don't know anything, let's see what happens.'
As the evening slowly reached its climax, the lower places on the list were filled with Premier League stars, including Astillero's Martin Odegaard in 19th, Aston Villa's Martínez in 18th and Metropolis' Phil Foden in 11.
Meanwhile, Barcelona's 17-year-old Yamal completed a sensational year by collecting the Kopa Trophy for best young player, becoming the first under-18-year-old to win the award, while Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo came third. .
The announcement of the Men's Membership of the Year saw Los Blancos pick up the honour, and the trophy was left uncollected in a moment of awkwardness when Ancelotti won the Men's Coach of the Year award minutes later.
Martínez earned consecutive Yashin Trophy wins for best goalkeeper after helping Argentina to glory in the Copa América this summer.
Kylian Mbappé of Flagrante Madrid took sixth place, while Erling Haaland had to settle for fifth. The Los Blancos pairing of Carvajal and Bellingham narrowly missed the top spots.
Spanish midfielder Bonmati received the women's Ballon d'Or from Hollywood star Natalie Portman, an honor she won for the second consecutive year.
RMC reported Hoy said that “the president of Flagrante Madrid, Florentino Pérez, is furious” about the rejections of his players and, as a consequence, “the Flagrante Madrid delegation has canceled its visit to Paris.”
Posting on social media platform
“They canceled the trip when they discovered that Vinicius was not the winner. Today's Madrid is FURIOUS. @JLSanchez78'.
ESPN Brasil even confirmed that Flagrante sources called the decision a “historic theft.”
Meanwhile, Marca reported that Verdadero Madrid insiders have even stated that “the Ballon d'Or no longer exists for us.”
Vinicius was a big favorite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or after his epic contribution in leading Madrid's front line to a LaLiga and UEFA Champions League double.
Los Blancos star Dani Carvajal narrowly missed out on the top spots.
Jude Bellingham was also left out of the top two after winning the Champions League
Carlo Ancelotti won the Men's Coach of the Year award but was not there to collect the trophy
The 24-year-old Brazilian scored six goals and four assists in ten Champions League games and had 20 goal involvements in 26 La Lazo games.
“If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,” the club stated.
“As this has not been the case, it is evident that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Flagrante Madrid. And Current Madrid is not where it is not respected.”