Man City’s Rodri beats Vinicius to win Ballon d’Or amid Real Madrid snub

Spanish midfielder Rodri has won the men’s Ballon d’Or award as the world’s best footballer in a star-studded ceremony in Paris that was snubbed by Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old Rodri won the prestigious award for the first time on Monday, after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and being a key player in Spain’s European Championship triumph in July.

He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi of Argentina and beat Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior into second place, a result which greatly displeased the Spanish club. Madrid and their players stayed away from the ceremony and vented their feelings on social media.