Rodri, the winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, lives a life unlike most football stars. Luxury and extravagance aren't part of his lifestyle. Despite his fame and success, he remains a humble and simple man. The Spanish midfielder, who plays for Manchester City, has had an incredible career, including winning the 2024 UEFA European Championship with Spain and helping his club secure multiple trophies. On October 28, 2024, Rodri, recovering from a serious knee injury, walked the red carpet on crutches to receive his Ballon d'Or award at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Behind Rodri's success as a player and person are his parents, Antonio and Elena. They played a huge role in supporting him throughout his journey. Born on June 22, 1996, in the suburbs of Madrid, Spain, Rodri began his football career at the age of nine with Rayo Majadahonda. His parents backed him every step of the way, especially when he moved to Atlético Madrid and later Villarreal.
When Rodri was 17, he had a tough experience at Villarreal, one that almost made him quit football. Speaking about it after receiving the Ballon d'Or, he recalled: "I remember calling my father, crying, feeling like everything was over. I had worked my whole life for this dream, but it felt like it was slipping away. My father told me that if we had come this far, we couldn’t give up now. That conversation changed my mentality completely."
Rodri also gave thanks to his family for their guidance and the values they taught him. He acknowledged their constant support, saying they were there for him through both good times and bad, helping him stay grounded in football and life.
Rodri's wife, Laura, has also been a significant part of his journey. The two have been together for eight years, and during his Ballon d'Or speech, Rodri made sure to thank her for standing by him. He said, "I want to thank the most important person in my life, Laura. Today is our wedding anniversary, and without you, this journey would not have been the same."
What makes Rodri stand out from other football stars is his choice to stay away from social media. He doesn’t have accounts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook. In addition to his football success, Rodri also pursued his studies. He attended the University of Castellón, where he studied business administration and management. Even after signing his first professional contract with Villarreal, he continued living in student housing, leading a simple life.
One of Rodri's university friends, Valentin Herranejos, shared some insights about the midfielder's modest lifestyle. He explained that Rodri never spent excessively on luxury items, unlike some of his fellow players at Villarreal. Instead, he drove a used Opel Corsa, which he bought from a woman who had just gotten her driver's license. Despite suggestions to buy a better, safer car, Rodri didn’t see the need to spend a lot of money on one.
Valentin also recalled how Rodri reacted when he signed with Atlético Madrid in 2018. At the time, Rodri was in his student residence, reheating pizza, and casually told Valentin about the news, showing how down-to-earth he remained even with major career milestones.
Another key figure in Rodri's career is his agent, Pablo Barquero, who has been with him from the early days at Rayo Majadahonda to his time at Manchester City. Rodri made sure to thank Barquero during his Ballon d'Or acceptance speech, acknowledging his agent’s role in his success.
Winning the Ballon d'Or is a crowning achievement for Rodri, adding to his already impressive list of titles with Manchester City and Spain. His career is a testament to hard work, humility, and staying true to his roots, far from the glitz and glamour often associated with top football stars. His modesty and focus on the game have made him one of the best midfielders in the world, and the Ballon d'Or is the "cherry on top" of his already outstanding career.