Rodri's Custom 1-of-1 Nike Phantom GX II Elite 'Ballon d'Or' Winner Edition - Match Worn in Premier League Return - 2024/25

In the realm of elite football collectibles, few items reach the rarity and significance of this one-of-one Nike Phantom GX II Elite Ballon d’Or Winner Edition, match-worn by Rodri, widely recognised as the best player in the world, during his iconic return to action from the ACL injury he sustained in the Premier League fixture against Arsenal in 2024. Not only do these boots carry the story of a triumphant comeback, but they also commemorate a historic personal milestone—Rodri’s crowning as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.

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A Personal Tribute to Footballing Excellence

Crafted exclusively for Rodri by Nike’s Athlete Services division in Montebelluna, Italy, this unique pair were designed to celebrate his 2024 Ballon d’Or triumph. It is a moment that etched his name into footballing immortality, recognising an astonishing year where he was pivotal for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team.

Rodri’s 2023/24 season was nothing short of legendary. After scoring the decisive goal in the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final, the goal that clinched City’s historic Treble in the 2022/23 season, he led the Cityzens to a record fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 2023/24 campaign. His form remained unshakable on the international stage, dominating midfield battles and ultimately being named UEFA EURO 2024 Player of the Tournament, as Spain lifted the trophy in Germany. His performances were a masterclass in consistency, intelligence, and control—cementing his position as the best player in world football.

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Match-Worn – A Comeback Story Against All Odds

This ultra-rare pair weren't just a ceremonial creation. Rodri laced up these very boots in his return match from the serious ACL injury sustained earlier in the 2024/25 season. After months of rehabilitation, he made his emotional comeback in Manchester City’s final home fixture of the season, a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on 20th May 2025, played at the Etihad Stadium. An emotional fixture for all Sky Blue fans, as on top of it being Rodri's comeback match, it was also the final match at the Etihad Stadium for the king, Kevin De Bruyne. This exact pair could also be seen inside the Manchester City dressing room on the day of the 2025 FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 17th 2025, however, they remained unused on the day as Rodri was not quite ready for his return to be at that point.

 

Rodri's absence during the 2024/25 season was unmistakably apparent, which made his crowning of the 2024 Ballon d'Or only more obviously deserved, he went unbeaten in the Premier League for a staggering 50 consecutive games (41 wins, 9 draws, 0 losses) from 12th February 2023 through to 19th May 2024. This run across all competitions totalled 74 games, consecutively, in which Rodri went unbeaten, which just goes to show that he was the central cog to the Manchester City winning machine. Since signing for Manchester City in 2019, Rodri has only lost a total of 19 Premier League matches wearing the Sky Blue shirt, however since his injury in September 2024 through until the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season, City lost 7 matches without him playing - over a third as many in 8 months as they lost with him playing in 5 years.

The game was more than just another win—it was a moment of symbolic redemption. Wearing his custom Ballon d’Or winner boots, Rodri stepped back onto the pitch not just as a player returning from injury, but as a world champion, a leader, and a living embodiment of excellence and class.

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Design & Features – Crafted to Perfection

Every inch of these boots tells a story. Built for performance but rich in symbolism, they boast an exquisite all-white upper that fades into a shimmering gold base, echoing the prestige of the Ballon d’Or trophy itself. A large black iridescent Nike Swoosh dominates the lateral side, underneath which sits ‘RODRIGO’ in bold lettering alongside the Spanish flag—a patriotic nod to his national triumph.

On the medial side, a smaller Swoosh adds a touch of balance, along with a small, elegant golden Nike Swoosh at the bottom of the lacing system. The boot’s base is finished with a chrome gold SG-Pro Hyperstability soleplate, offering elite traction and agility—vital for Rodri’s controlling role in midfield and a soleplate he has used and become very accustomed to having worn it on his Phantom GX boots since 2022. There is a common theme among the high profile sponsored athletes of Nike, with the vast majority of SG (soft-ground stud) wearers opting for the Hyperstability plate, rather than the heavier Anti-Clog option, which is typically the only SG option available to the general consumer on the retail market. 

But the beauty of this pair lies not only in aesthetics, but also in the player-exclusive customisation:

Custom Specifications Include:

• No commercial size label, but measured to be approximately UK10.5 / US11.5, tailored specifically for Rodri’s foot shape.

• Fully custom upper, completely different from the retail version of the Nike Phantom GX II Elite. Instead of the ribbed texture commonly seen on retail models with the Nike 'Gripknit' technology, this pair features a smooth, flat external upper, providing a cleaner strike zone. Unlike retail variants of the Phantom GX Elite, Rodri's custom pair seen here do not feature any 'Gripknit' branding anywhere whatsoever.

• Additional internal padding inserted throughout the boot for comfort and stability, finished in a nylon liner - a similar customisation we have seen previously on Harry Kane's & Wayne Rooney's Nike boots.

• A unique line of stitching around the lacing system, not present in retail versions—offering enhanced lockdown and personalised fit.

• Nike: The Greek God/Goddess of Victory, a touch for winners only. On each boot, Nike have added a special emblem for Rodri which is a nod to his Ballon d'Or crowning, this shield incorporates the Nike Swoosh in gold at the top section with a black background and border, along with '24' at the bottom, also in gold, representing the year of his triumph. In the centre, displayed beautifully is the Greek god/goddess of victory, Nike, displaying a wonderful and elegant tribute to Rodri's success. This special emblem design can also be seen on each of the custom insoles.

• Handmade by Nike’s elite equipment manufacturing facility in Montebelluna, Italy—where only the brand’s top-tier sponsored athletes have their boots crafted to exacting measurements & requirements. It is here where modifications such as custom uppers (as seen here), materials, personalisation, soleplates etc. are made for the highest profile & most marketable players.

• SG-Pro Hyperstability soleplate, optimal for wet or soft pitches, delivers both grip and responsiveness at the elite level. Perfect for the elite level pitches of competitions such as the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and so on. The retail SG option typically being the Anti-Clog is much more suited to, and specially designed for, those boggy, muddy, Sunday League style pitches that the general consumer would tend to play on.

• Bespoke insoles, displaying the same trophy logo found on the front side of the Dynamic Fit Collar section, complete with '24' underneath representing the year in which Rodri was crowned Ballon d'Or champion and ventilation holes to the arch section. As with the rest of the boots, these custom insoles bear wonderful signs of heavy use by the player, from training sessions leading up to - and including - his return match against Bournemouth. With the ACL injury being to Rodri's right knee, this alone explains the unbalanced wear we can see here from the left to right insoles. When recovering from such a serious injury, it's only natural for the body to overcompensate by putting more of the strain and body weight on the stronger side of the body, in this case, Rodri's left leg, which is the reason behind the left insole here displaying extensively more wear than the right. Here we can also see, although feint due to match & training use by Rodri, the custom Nike: Greek God/Goddess of Victory emblem which is also found on the Dynamic Fit Collar of each boot.

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Photo-Matched Authenticity – Provenance That Matters

Authenticity is paramount in the world of match-worn memorabilia, and this pair comes with irrefutable proof of use. The boots have been photo-matched to in-game images from Rodri’s return match, with distinctive wear patterns on the upper and soleplate, as well as exact positioning of personalisation elements, including name and flag placements. Each scuff, mark, and crease is a testament to elite-level action at the highest stage of the sport. Upon under-the-microscope detail, we can see specific folds & creases in the upper material by the lateral side's Nike Swoosh, along with a piece of stitching poking through the top of the soleplate where it meets the upper material on the heel section & some unique raised dots on the upper material, in the section between the Swoosh & the Dynamic Fit Collar, as well as the scuff from match use just to the right of the personalisation details.

This is more than just a pair of boots—it is a verified piece of football history. As with all items of this nature sold through us, the boots are accompanied by a BC Boots UK Certification Package, confirming their authenticity and provenance.

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A Unique Piece of Football History

In the modern era of mass production, player exclusives stand out—not just for their rarity, but for the stories & history in which they carry. This particular pair is the only one of its kind in existence: created solely for Rodri, to commemorate the most prestigious individual award in world football.

Add to that the context of being match-worn in his comeback from a major injury, and you have an artefact that intersects personal resilience, sporting excellence, and design innovation. For collectors, enthusiasts, and fans of Rodri or Manchester City alike, this is a true museum-grade item, representing a defining era for both the player and the club.

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If you’re looking to own a truly one-of-a-kind piece of footballing history, few items could ever rival the significance, exclusivity, and provenance of this piece. For the ultimate collector, this is the holy grail of match-worn boots.

For enquiries to purchase this piece, click here to view the product page and further details.

Rodri. Ballon d’Or Winner. Comeback King. This is his legacy—captured in gold and white.