Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women's award for the second time. Rodri, the first winner of the award, helped his team to win the fourth consecutive Premier League trophy last season
He was also voted the best player in this year's European Championship after Spain lifted a record fourth title
The 28-year-old Madrid native is the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d'Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and the third Spaniard to win the award after Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960).
While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard has won it since Barcelona star Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain's "golden generation" winning the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2012
But Rodri, a player who City coach Pep Guardiola said was 'the best midfielder in the world', finally ended the run with the exceptional skill that has made his club a major force in England and helped Spain once again dominate Europe.
"Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for many players who have not won and deserved it, like (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), Iker (Casillas), Sergio Busquets, many others. . It's for Spanish football and the image of the midfielder," Rodri said on stage at the ceremony
