Manchester City have enjoyed the novel experience of winning Premier League games without Rodri in their lineup at the start of the new season.
The Spain midfielder has benefitted from an extended break after his Euro 2024 heroics. After Rodri went unbeaten across 34 games in City's run to a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title (they lost three of the four he missed), La Roja won all 11 of the competitive matches he played in 2023/24.
That culminated in the Euro 2024 final triumph over England, albeit with Rodri suffering an injury that forced him to make way at halftime. Indeed, the only blemish across 63 games played for club and country in a season where he also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup was a 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Manchester United.
That reverse, which denied City back-to-back domestic doubles, ended an astonishing run of 74 matches without being on the losing side. He has not tasted defeat with Spain since their 2-0 loss to Scotland at Hampden Park in March 2023. Perhaps the 28-year-old toasted Scott McTominay's recent move to Napoli.
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Rodri might have far more reason to celebrate when this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris rolls around. Indisputably one of the best players in the world and almost unquestionably the finest in his position of holding midfield, the City and Spain totem is among the favourites to scoop football's most coveted individual prize.
Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham are also in the running. Los Blancos ended City's Champions League defence on penalties last season. Can Rodri have the last laugh over the pair by adding to his trophy collection?
Rodri stats 2023/24
Rodri played 63 games for club and country in 2023/24 and lost only one of them: the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
| Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win Percentage | Goals Scored | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 34 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 79.4% | 8 | 9 |
| UEFA Champions League | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75% | 1 | 2 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 0 | 0 |
| Community Shield | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 75% | 0 | 1 |
| Carabao Cup | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| European Qualifiers | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 0 | 1 |
| International Friendlies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 2 | 0 |
| Euro 2024 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 63 | 50 | 12 | 1 | 79.36% | 12 | 14 |
"We would be delighted — he deserves it," City manager Pep Guardiola said recently when discussing Rodri's Ballon d'Or prospects. "But maybe another one deserves it too. The people will vote.
"Rodri has done not just one season, many seasons really good and the previous season was really good with the Premier League and the Euros winning with Spain. But there are other players who had a good season.
"I would love one [City] player to win it because for players it means a lot. I would love it. But I've said many times: just being in contention and being there means the club — individually and collectively — has done a good season. There are a lot of good teams with good players. Hopefully, it happens, but it is not in my hands."
Rodri was City's matchwinner in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan and, as the statistics above show, his overall influence on games has been allayed by weighing in with regular goals and assists — often on big occasions.
A trademark strike from outside the box crowned City's 3-1 win over West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season as Guardiola's men edged out Arsenal in the title race. When Spain fell behind for the first time at Euro 2024 against Georgia, it was Rodri who stepped forward to net a fine equaliser in the Round of 16 tie.
Rodri trophies, finals 2023-24
| Competition | Finish |
|---|---|
| Premier League | Winners |
| UEFA Champions League | Quarterfinals |
| UEFA Super Cup | Winners |
| FIFA Club World Cup | Winners |
| Community Shield | Runners-up |
| FA Cup | Runners-up |
| Carabao Cup | Round of 32 |
| Euro 2024 | Winners |
When is 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony?
The 2024 Ballon d'Or gala is due to be held on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
The ceremony is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).