Uche Cecil Izuora/Agency Report
The 28-year-old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, was awarded the prize in Paris after helping Spain win Euro 2024 in July.
He also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
Rodri, the first player in the club’s history to win the Ballon d’Or, claimed the award ahead of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was third – the highest an English player has finished in the award since Frank Lampard’s second-place finish in 2005.
Real Madrid won the award for club of the year and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was the winner of the men’s coach of the year award, but there was no-one from the club present to receive the prizes.
It was reported earlier on Monday that Real Madrid were boycotting the ceremony after reports Vinicius would not win the Ballon d’Or.
“A very special day for me, my family and my country,” said Rodri, who appeared on stage on crutches after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September.
“Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi [Hernandez], Iker [Casillas], Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder.”
Ballon d’Or top 10
1.Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)
2.Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
3.Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)
4.Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)
5.Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
6.Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG/Real Madrid)
7.Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
8.Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)
9.Toni Kroos (Germany and Real Madrid)
10.Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)