Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in Paris last night. City’s midfield general’s victory is testament to his consistency and dominant performances over a sustained period. But more than that, Rodri’s victory is a testament to Manchester City’s strength as a club. City is built to allow the best players in the world to shine. This is a testament to the city’s hierarchy, which has created an environment where the very best in the game can do what they do best.

Manchester City is a club focused on dominance on the pitch. The players know that when they join City they will be given every opportunity to be the best they can be. Players like Erling Haaland, Rodri, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gündogan, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne bear witness to this under Pep Guardiola. Previously, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and David Silva established themselves as world-class players at Manchester City. This shows that City is the ideal environment for a player to reach his peak. Rodri’s victory at the Ballon d’Or underlines this fact even more.

This fact cannot be disputed. You only have to look at City’s rivals to see Manchester City’s influence across England. Chelsea hired Enzo Maresca as coach. Maresca is a student of Pep Guardiola. Omar Berrada is now CEO of Manchester United after a long tenure with the World Cup winners. There are other examples of this in England and Europe. City’s rivals are trying to replicate what Manchester City has on and off the pitch. This has become clear in recent seasons.

After his Ballon d’Or triumph, Rodri was quick to thank Manchester City as a club. The Spanish international believes he is at the best club in the world. Accepting the prestigious award, he said: “Of course I don’t want to forget my teammates. I understand that football is a group game. Manchester City, thank you so much, you are very special, I know I couldn’t have done it without you. For me this is the best club in the world. I would like to thank my national team and Luis for their trust.”

Rodri’s triumph at the Ballon d’Or is a testament to the player Rodri is. But it is also a triumph for Manchester City as a club. Erling Haaland was the City player who came closest to winning the Ballon d’Or before Rodri’s famous win last night. But now Rodri has achieved this feat. It’s a testament to everything City offers its players. The platform is there for a player to give his best in the World Cup. That cannot be disputed after Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph in Paris.