Rodri is a Spanish professional footballer who plays a defensive midfielder for Premier league Club Manchester City and the Spain national team. Known for his passing, playmaking and physical attributes, he is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. He is known for winning the 2024 Ballon D’or award.
Rodri Age
Born Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, he was born on 22nd June 1996. He is 28 years old.
Rodri Football Career
Rodri joined Atlético Madrid‘s youth setup in 2007 aged 11, from CF Rayo Majadahonda. Released in 2013 due to a “lack of physical strength”, he subsequently signed with Villarreal. On 7 February 2015, while still a junior, Rodri made his senior debut for the reserves, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 away win against RCD Espanyol B in the Segunda División B. On 24 May 2018, Rodri returned to Atlético Madrid after the club reached an agreement with Villarreal for his transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the club, for a fee in the region of €20 million, plus €5 million in variables. He made his debut on 15 August in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn, playing the first 71 minutes of a 4–2 extra-time win over city rivals Real Madrid. On 3 July 2019, Manchester City met the terms of Rodri’s £62.6 million release clause, enabling him to buy out the remainder of his contract with Atlético and leave the club. The transfer was a new record fee paid by Manchester City. He signed a five-year contract. In international career, after playing for Spain at under-16, under-19 and under-21 levels, Rodri was first selected by the full side on 16 March 2018 for two friendlies with Germany and Argentina. He made his debut five days later, replacing Thiago Alcântara late in the 1–1 draw against Germany in Düsseldorf.
🗣️ A message from your Ballon d'Or winner…#UCL | #ballondor pic.twitter.com/H5R3R7ULb5
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 28, 2024
Rodri Ballon D’Or Win
Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner following his outstanding performance during the 2023-24 season, in which he helped his club secure the English Premier League title for the fourth consecutive time. Rodri scored 10 goals during the 2023-24 season and with this win, he becomes the first Premier League player to receive the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008 while at Manchester United. Rodri beat Brazil’s Vinicius Jr and England’s Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, to the prestigious prize.
The 2024 winners list! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/kV28kY5io7
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Barcelona’s Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for a second time.
Rodri, a first-time winner of the award, was instrumental in helping his team win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League trophy last season. He was also named best player at this year’s European Championship after Spain lifted a record-extending fourth title.
Rodri, it's all yours! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/OeyieiRQYe
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Vinicius Jr Reaction After Rodri Beats him for the Award
After Rodri won the award, Vinicius Jr, 24 well known for his fight against racism in sport as much as his brilliant, match-winning performances on the football pitch took to X and wrote, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Eu farei 10x se for preciso. Eles não estão preparados.
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 28, 2024
While it is not entirely clear what the striker is aiming to “do 10 times”, the disappointment and resilience in Vinicius looks pretty evident and he would no doubt be fired up to continue scoring goals, winning trophies and standing up for important social causes, most notably racism, whenever needed. Over the years, there have been instances of the footballer receiving racist comments from football fans and his fight against it has been well appreciated and supported by football and the broader sporting community.
