The Premier League Players Who Have Won the Ballon d’Or

Rodri has been crowned the Ballon d’Or winner for 2024, with the Manchester City midfielder celebrated as the finest footballer in the world at a ceremony in Paris last week.

The Spanish international’s incredible displays for both club and country have culminated in his receiving football’s most prestigious individual prize, making him only the third Premier League Ballon D’Or winner and the protagonist of a truly historic moment in English football history.

Rodri was pivotal in Manchester City’s triumph, as they secured a record fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 2023/24 season. He then continued his excellence by leading Spain to glory at Euro 2024. Earning the Player of the Tournament honour for his dominant performances, Rodri was the commanding presence in the midfield of Luis de la Fuente’s victorious Spanish side.

He is the first Spanish player in 64 years to claim the Ballon d’Or and has joined the select group of players who have won this award while representing a Premier League club. Before Rodri, only six players had earned the France Football prize while playing for an English club, with just two of them achieving the feat in the Premier League era.

Premier League Players Who Have Won the Ballon d’Or

Michael Owen – Liverpool (2001)

Michael Owen accomplished the extraordinary by winning the Ballon d’Or despite not playing in the Champions League that season.

Owen was a crucial figure in Liverpool’s treble-winning campaign under manager Gerard Houllier, as the Reds claimed the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup. He made a significant impact, notably scoring in Liverpool’s thrilling UEFA Cup final victory over Alaves and delivering a sensational, match-winning performance in the FA Cup final.

With Liverpool trailing Arsenal 1-0 and only seven minutes remaining in the FA Cup final, Owen turned the match on its head by scoring twice to secure a dramatic win. On the international stage, he played a pivotal role in revitalising England’s World Cup qualifying hopes, famously netting a hat-trick in England’s 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich.

Owen’s impressive 2000/01 season, which saw him net 24 goals across all competitions, earned him the Ballon d’Or ahead of fellow stars Raul and Oliver Kahn.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United (2008)

Cristiano Ronaldo became the second Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or, collecting his first of five career awards in 2008.

Ronaldo reached incredible heights in the 2007/08 season, emerging as one of the world’s elite talents. He scored a staggering 42 goals in all competitions, propelling Manchester United to both Premier League and Champions League titles.

His 31 goals in the league matched the Premier League’s record for a 38-game season at the time and secured him the European Golden Shoe. In the Champions League final, Ronaldo scored United’s only goal with a towering header in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea, before Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won on penalties in Moscow.

Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or win made him the fourth Manchester United player to receive the honour, joining club legends Denis Law (1964), Bobby Charlton (1966), and George Best (1968).

Rodri – Manchester City (2024)

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory marks him as just the third Premier League player to win the award in a landscape largely dominated by La Liga stars over the last two decades.

The Spanish midfielder has been the engine of Manchester City’s tactical masterclass under Pep Guardiola, playing a crucial role in their historic fourth straight Premier League title in 2023/24. His outstanding form carried over to the international stage, where he played a pivotal role in Spain’s success at Euro 2024.

Rodri’s leadership and composure were central to Spain’s triumph, earning him the Player of the Tournament award as Luis de la Fuente’s squad lifted the European Championship trophy. His ability to control and dictate the tempo of matches was indispensable.

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win celebrates his immense but often understated influence. While the award has traditionally favoured goal-scorers and headline-grabbing players, Rodri’s orchestration from midfield, making others better around him, has finally earned him the spotlight.