Read English translated version of Rodri’s full speech after winning 2024 Ballon d’Or
Rodri has been named as the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
On Monday night, during a star-studded event in Paris, France, the Manchester City and Spain midfielder was handed the Ballon d’Or trophy.
Rodri enjoyed a stellar season winning the Premier League with City and also the Euro 2024 title with his country.
After receiving the award from George Weah, Rodri began by saying: “Incredible night for me. If you let me, I would like to speak in my language, Spanish.
“Good evening everybody, I have to thank many people. First of all France Football and UEFA for giving me this award.
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“Thanks for being here again everyone, I want to thank those who voted for me. Today is a special day not just for me but for my family. First of all, I have to thank a very special person, my girlfriend Laura, today is our eighth anniversary. Without her, things would not be the same.”
He added: “My family, of course, the values they have taught me, showing me the right steps to take and helping me to become the man I am today.
“A very special person, my agent Paulo, when you took me to matches, feeding my dreams. I also want to thank my teammates because without them I would not be here as football is a team game. It’s very special for me, Manchester City is the best club in the world, thanks to them things have been much easier. I want to thank Luis (De La Fuente) for trusting me.
“I want to mention my teammates with whom I won the Euro title with, especially Dani Carvajal who suffered the same injury that I suffered. Lamine Yamal, I know you will win this award soon. This is a victory for Spanish football and many of my friends have written to me to say, ‘FOOTBALL HAS WON TODAY!”
The City star man continued: “Lastly, I would like to tell you a story that led me here, when I was 17, I packed my suitcase to fulfil a dream. One day I cried to my father, it’s all over, I invested my life to get here and that was it. My father said, we came all the way here, let’s keep going and this is something that changed my mindset. I am a nomal kid with values, I know what a hard worker is, thank you very much.”
