The winner of our Men’s Player of the Year award is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with 31.5% of votes from across our team of experts.
Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was a close second, with 27.5% of the votes.
Year in review
Ballon d'Or winner Rodri enjoyed an incredible 2024, in which he won both the Premier League title and FA Cup with Manchester City before EURO 2024 glory with Spain over the summer.
He has established himself as the world’s most complete defensive midfielder in recent years, a status which has only been compounded by his recent injury woes coinciding with a dramatic dip in form for his club.
Rodri formed a vicious midfield partnership with compatriot Fabian Ruiz as Spain claimed the EURO 2024 crown over England in a hard-fought finale.
Unfortunately, he picked up a serious ACL and meniscus injury in September which will keep him out of action until the very late stages of the current season.
In October of this year, he beat Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior to the Ballon d'Or.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Rodri after he claimed the coveted award. "It’s incredible news for him and of course for all of us, all at City and our fans," he said.
"We’re so proud of him. It’s the first time. We could never have imagined years ago that our player would receive this prestigious award."
Player profile
Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante (now known as just 'Rodri') first emerged at Rayo Majadahonda before being scouted by Atletico Madrid and making the switch to Los Colchoneros in 2007, aged just 11.
He would spend the majority of his formative years in the Spanish capital before joining Villarreal in 2013, where he would get his first chance to play first-team football.
Initially breaking through with the Yellow Submarine's 'B' team, Rodri quickly progressed into the senior side and made 84 appearances in all competitions in three seasons.
Rodri made an emotional return to Atletico in 2018 - 11 years after he left - where he would win the UEFA Super Cup, but it wasn't destined to be a long-term move as City already had their sights set on the midfielder.
Rodri joined the Premier League outfit just a year later, in a deal worth around £65 million that enabled the player to buy his way out of his Atletico contract.
Since joining the Abu Dhabi-backed side, the Spaniard has helped City win four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and the 'international treble' of the Champions League, Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2023.
During his time in the Premier League, Rodri has cemented his status as the world's finest holding midfielder and a vital cog in Guardiola's star-studded team.
For Spain, he has made a total of 57 senior appearances and scored four times. Rodri has won two trophies with La Roja - the UEFA Nations League in 2022/23 and the Euros in 2024.
The road to recovery
Rodri’s year was notably curtailed by a terrible injury sustained during a tense 2-2 draw with Premier League title-chasers Arsenal.
He is unlikely to play again for the remainder of 2024/25, but Rodri remains optimistic he will return before the season is over.
“I have in mind to play this season,” he said just last month.
“Now the seasons are getting longer and the (Club) World Cup ends on July 13th, I have in mind to return this year as a challenge."
Long-term, Rodri will be looking to return to full fitness and playing in the next season to help take City back to the dizzying heights they recently experienced in winning the treble in 2022/23.
Buoyed on by his recent Ballon d'Or win - and, of course, after being named Flashscore Men's Player of the Year - the Spanish star will no doubt remind the footballing world of his prowess in 2025.