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The Ballon d’Or remains the pinnacle of achievement for footballers around the world. After an outstanding 2023-24 season, the coveted 2024 Golden Ball has been awarded to Rodri.

The Manchester City and Spain midfielder has established himself as the premier No. 6 in the game. His crucial contributions helped City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, and he excelled at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament as Spain triumphed in Germany.

Rodri’s impact extended beyond defense; he enhanced his attacking play, finishing the season with 12 goals and 15 assists. Remarkably, he suffered just one defeat in 90 minutes, with that loss occurring in the FA Cup final.

In clinching his first Ballon d’Or, Rodri surpassed Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who finished second and third, respectively. Both players played vital roles in Real Madrid’s successes in La Liga and the Champions League.

Ballon d’Or Prize Money: Does He Get Any?

While winning the Ballon d’Or does not come with direct monetary rewards, it carries significant prestige. Often, players may receive bonus payments from their clubs or sponsors. For instance, reports indicate that Luka Modric received €800,000 (£666,864) from Nike when he won the award in 2018.

Official Ranking:

29. Artem Dovbyk (Roma)
Dovbyk was pivotal for Girona, netting 24 goals and earning the top scorer title before moving to Roma.

29. Mats Hummels (Roma)
The seasoned defender, at 35, played every minute of Borussia Dortmund’s journey to the Champions League final before transferring to Roma.

28. Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Grimaldo had a stellar season, contributing 10 goals and 13 assists, helping Bayer Leverkusen claim their first title.

27. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Portuguese midfielder was essential in securing PSG’s Ligue 1 title and advancing to the Champions League semi-finals.

26. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rice showcased his value at Arsenal, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists while playing a significant role for England at Euro 2024.

25. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer excelled for Chelsea, scoring 22 goals and assisting 11, and played a key role in England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

24. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba anchored Arsenal’s defense, playing every minute of the Premier League season and contributing to France’s success.

23. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Dias was crucial in Manchester City’s title defense, making 45 appearances and helping Portugal reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

22. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Rudiger consistently performed well for club and country, playing every minute for Germany in Euro 2024.

21. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The talented winger was vital for Arsenal’s title challenge and made significant contributions to England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

20. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter)
Calhanoglu was instrumental in Inter’s Serie A success, scoring 13 goals and captaining Turkey in the Euros.

19. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)
As Arsenal’s captain, Ødegaard provided eight goals and 10 assists, helping his team contend fiercely for the Premier League title.

18. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Martinez was crucial for Aston Villa’s fourth-place finish and excelled with Argentina during the Copa America.

17. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Valverde played a vital role in Real Madrid’s success, missing only one game and captaining Uruguay in the Copa America.

16. Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
Xhaka was a key player in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten title-winning season and their DFB-Pokal triumph.

15. Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
Williams had a standout season in La Liga, scoring five goals and assisting 11 while helping Spain win Euro 2024.

14. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Lookman shone with Atalanta, scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final and leading Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

13. Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
Olmo continued to thrive at RB Leipzig, making critical contributions to Spain’s Euro 2024 success, leading to his transfer to Barcelona.

12. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Wirtz showcased his potential with 11 goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga, cementing his status as one of Europe’s top talents.

11. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden had a remarkable season, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League and starting all seven of England’s Euro 2024 matches.

10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane transitioned smoothly to Bayern Munich, scoring prolifically despite facing challenges at Euro 2024.

9. Toni Kroos (Retired)
The German icon retired after a legendary career, helping Real Madrid achieve a double and maintaining his presence in the national team during the Euros.

8. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17, Yamal impressed for Barcelona and made a significant impact on Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign.

7. Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
Martinez scored 24 goals in Serie A and played a crucial role in Argentina’s Copa America victory.

6. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Despite off-field challenges, Mbappé had an outstanding season, netting 44 goals and leading France at the Euros.

5. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
The Norwegian sensation scored 27 goals in 31 Premier League matches and added six in the Champions League, solidifying his status as the best finisher in the game.

4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Carvajal remained a key player for both club and country, scoring in the Champions League final and celebrating success in the Euros.

3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Bellingham enjoyed a phenomenal debut season at Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and assisting 11, playing a crucial role in England’s Euro 2024 run.

2. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
Vinicius had an electrifying campaign, scoring 31 goals and playing a vital role in Real Madrid’s successes.

1. Rodri (Manchester City)
Rodri’s impact on Manchester City is undeniable; his presence on the pitch correlates directly with the team’s success. He capped off an incredible year by winning Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, contributing significantly to both his club and country’s achievements.