Rodri, Ballon d’Or 2024: Polarization or Recognition of Balance in Football?

The presentation of the Ballon d’Or 2024 has brought with it a debate that divides the world of football. Rodri Hernández, midfielder for Manchester City and the Spanish National Team, won the award in a year marked by the success of his team and his country. However, his victory has generated mixed opinions, especially among Real Madrid fans, who considered Vinicius Junior the most deserving of the award. Beyond the polarization, this Ballon d’Or for Rodri is an opportunity to reflect on the value of balance and the role of a type of player that sometimes goes unnoticed in an era where the focus is usually on technique and physique.

Rodri: A Recognition of Balance and Tactical Intelligence
Rodri Hernández represents the profile of a complete player that every team needs. It is not just his ability to win the ball back, but his ability to distribute it accurately, manage the timing of the game and, above all, maintain balance on the pitch. In a year where he won the Premier League with Manchester City and the European Championship with Spain, Rodri has been a “conductor” within his team, allowing both forwards and defenders to shine in their specific roles. This Ballon d’Or for a defensive midfielder is not only a reward for his individual performance, but also a recognition of football that combines technique, strategy and a global vision.

César Luis Menotti himself once said: «He who only knows football, does not even know football», and Rodri is the perfect example of this vision. In his style of play, Rodri shows that football goes beyond speed or physical display; it is a sport where tactical intelligence and the ability to read the game are equally crucial. His victory is, in this sense, a recognition of the balance in football, of the ability to combine excellent individual performance with an understanding of the collective game.

The Importance of Collective Commitment: A Value Overlooked by Many
In times where visible skills such as dribbling or speed are so highly prized, Rodri represents a less media-friendly profile, but one that is essential for the stability of a team. While Vinicius dazzles with his skill and talent in one-on-one situations, Rodri stands out for his understanding of when and how to intervene, adapting his game according to what the team needs at any given moment. He is the kind of player who provides support and creates synergies, understanding that football is a collective discipline, not a show of individual skills.

Rodri’s victory also reminds us of the importance of commitment and self-control within a team. In this sense, the Pons Method’s Principle of Specific Inclusivity highlights the need to train each player according to their strengths and weaknesses, without focusing solely on technical performance. While technique and physique are important, the true quality of a player is measured by his ability to integrate into the team’s game and how he controls his impulses and ego in favour of the collective.
Balance and Non-Polarisation:

A Lesson from the 2024 Ballon d’Or
The polarisation of opinions on the 2024 Ballon d’Or reflects a tendency to value only the most visible aspects of the game, such as technique and physique, rather than considering the player’s total contribution to the team. Vinicius himself, with his skills and brilliance, brings a lot to Real Madrid, but football is also about synergies. What is the impact of his shortcomings in defence or in creating collective play, o in the way he play, because i have to remember losing 0-2 against Barcelona he makes moves that harm his team psychologically and benefit the rival morally.? This reflection is not intended to devalue Vinicius, but to underline that, for coaches, the true wealth of a player is not only in what he does with the ball, but in his ability to integrate into the system.

As coaches and professionals, we know that the true value of a player like Rodri is his ability to balance the game, unite the lines, organize the team in defense and attack, and be a model of commitment and maturity. And it is precisely this balance that we must value, both in football and in life, instead of falling into a polarized vision that only highlights what is visible.

The Ballon d’Or as a Reflection of Balanced Football
In conclusion, the 2024 Ballon d’Or for Rodri is not just an award for a player; it is a celebration of that type of football that knows how to combine skill with tactical intelligence and teamwork. It is a victory that reminds fans, and especially young ones, that success in football goes beyond technical flashes and is also achieved thanks to consistency, discipline and collective commitment.
This Ballon d’Or is a recognition of balance, the importance of working as a team and the ability to maintain humility and control.

Pons Football