(Source: Reuters)

Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball for the world’s best player on Monday, beating Brazilian Vinicius Jr and England’s Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, for the prestigious award.

Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for the second time.

Rodri, a first-time winner of the award, was instrumental in helping his side win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League trophy last season.

He was also named the best player at this year’s European Championship after Spain won a record fourth title.

The 28-year-old from Madrid is the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and the third Spaniard to win this award after Alfredo Di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960).

Although the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard has won since Barcelona great Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain’s “golden generation” winning the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2012.

But Rodri, the player whom City coach Pep Guardiola called “the best midfielder in the world”, ultimately ended that streak with a unique skill set that made his club the dominant force in England and helped Spain rule Europe again.

Rodri became the third person without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2008.

It was the first time since 2003 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo made the final list of 30 nominees.